Dr. Manoj Bisht has been working as the Principal at Devsthali Vidyapeeth, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. He has done M.Pharm and PhD in Pharmacology as part of his education. Also, Dr. Manoj holds a total of 16.5 years of work experience in the education sector and Gastro and CNS Pharmacology are key areas of his research.

Devsthali Vidyapeeth

Which latest program your department is offering to students to help them outperform?

For the purpose of helping our students outperform in the outer competitive world, our department has a 4-years B.Pharm course at UG level followed by a 2-years M.Pharm and Diploma course in the disciplines of Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacy Informatics and Clinical Pharmacy etc. And we have even integrated the latest technologies and Data Analytics into pharmacy practice to enhance patient care. We also provide opportunities to students to learn how a person's genetic makeup influences their response to drugs. Last but not the least, we rigorously focus on direct patient care, including medication therapy management and management of disease states. 

Which factors make the Pharmacy programs of your college the best and worth pursuing for students?

Our Pharmacy courses are accredited by a recognised body and we have highly experienced and well-qualified faculty to provide a richer learning experience to students. In addition to this, we review and update the curriculum of our institution on a regular basis to verify if it covers a broad range of topics in pharmacy, including pharmaceutical science, clinical practice and pharmacy administration, so that we can make necessary changes in it and prepare students for a variety of career paths. Also, to ensure best practical exposure, we provide opportunities to students to pursue internships and externships in various settings and reputed hospitals. Last but not the least, we involve students in research projects from time to time in order to enhance their subject understanding and help them contribute to advancements in the field.

What are some of the best practices that your institution has adopted to deliver its Pharmacy courses?

As we all know that Pharmacy is a dynamic field, hence it's very important to stay abreast of the latest research, drug approvals, and guidelines. Therefore, we have made it a habit to read relevant journals, attend conferences and follow reputable sources in the field on a regular basis.

We also practice clear and concise communication with patients, healthcare providers, and colleagues and this not only includes written communication, but also verbal and non-verbal communication. We also maintain patient confidentiality, informed consent, and professional integrity as they are fundamental aspects of ethical pharmacy practice. 

Other than this, we regularly assess our strengths and weaknesses to identify improvement areas and seek opportunities for professional development. Last but not the least, we have value-based courses, workshops and certifications for students.

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How do the courses of your department ensure the future preparedness of students?

We offer Pharmacy programs to our students with the aim to prepare them for the uncertain future by incorporating several key elements into our college's curriculum and overall educational approach. And we regularly upgrade it to keep it in sync with the latest trends and developments of fields like Pharmaceutical Science and Healthcare Practice. 

We have integrated emerging fields such as pharmacogenomics, precision medicine and biotechnology in the curriculum to address evolving healthcare needs and also collaborate with other renowned hospitals, clinics and community pharmacies to provide students with a holistic understanding of healthcare delivery and interprofessional teamwork. Atmosphere of research and innovation is also promoted on campus to foster a culture of inquiry and problem solving among students.

How did you train your faculty to effectively deliver Pharmacy programs to students?

We regularly motivate our faculty members to pursue higher education such as Pharm.D and PhD to help them acquire necessary skills and experience. And whenever new faculties join us, we organize comprehensive orientation sessions to make them aware about our organization policies and procedures, pharmacy programs, and curriculum. 

Additionally, they participate in events such as workshops, conferences, webinars and relevant literature training programs to learn new technologies and pedagogies. And they are involved in the curriculum design and review process as well. This approach ensures that they have a deep understanding of the program they need to deliver. Last but not the least, we have mentoring programs where experienced faculty members mentor newer or less experienced colleagues. This not only facilitates knowledge transfer, but also provides required support and creates a collaborative environment on campus.

What career options would be available to your department students after pursuing courses from your institute?

As healthcare is a fundamental component of any society, demands for healthcare professionals was and will be high in upcoming time. Also, Pharmacy careers often come with competitive salaries, especially as you gain experience and specialize in certain areas. Hence students after pursuing Pharmacy courses from our college can work in retail settings, wherein they need to provide prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as health counseling. In addition to this, they can join hospitals and work as healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective medication use. 

Students can also involve themselves in the process of drug development, quality control, marketing and sales opportunities and work with Pharmaceutical companies. And then can even teach, conduct research and contribute to the education of future pharmacists at pharmacy schools or universities. Lastly, they can be part of community pharmacies, research institutes and regulatory bodies or can even do specializations in areas such as clinical pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, industrial pharmacy, regulatory affairs and pharmacology.