South East Technological University (SETU) hosted its first annual Pharmacy Education and Networking event at its Cork Road Campus in Waterford on Wednesday, 26 February.
The event outlined the plans for SETU’s Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) programme, a five-year integrated course designed to prepare students for modern pharmacy practice by covering science, healthcare, professional practice, research, and leadership, along with experiential placement, in an integrated way.
Engaging with stakeholders
The aim of the event was for SETU’s academic team in pharmacy to engage with regional stakeholders as part of the University’s programme development and understand skills needs across all sectors. Regional stakeholders include pharmacists working across the sector in hospital, industry, and community settings, as well as other emerging areas.
Period of transformation
Welcoming attendees, Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, said, “I am delighted to welcome you all to this inaugural Pharmacy Education and Networking event. This evening’s event is the first of what we hope will become an annual event in our calendar. SETU was recently successful in its applications to the Higher Education Authority to provide two new high-profile programmes: the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) and the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine. The awarding of these programmes is a recognition of SETU’s track record in education, research, and industry engagement.
Prof. Campbell continued, “The pharmacy profession in Ireland is undergoing a period of rapid transformation. This is both a challenge and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to develop the MPharm programme. This is an area of exceptional potential to contribute positively to the societal and economic development of the south east region.”
The awarding of these programmes is a recognition of SETU’s track record in education, research, and industry engagement.
Professor Veronica Campbell SETU President
Partnership with PMBRC
Prof. Peter McLoughlin, SETU Head (Waterford) of the Faculty of Science and Computing, spoke about the importance of research on the MPharm programme. He said, “The new pharmacy programme will be supported by a strong research programme at SETU. We have an established track record of research centred on the activities and partnerships of the Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre (PMBRC). This award-winning centre carries out research on the development and delivery of medicines with an emphasis on patient led innovation. Students and graduates of the new programme will have an opportunity to engage with this research activity and the centres extensive national and international partners.”
SETU’s MPharm programme design is the result of the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team that includes experts in science, pharmacy practice, health science and health promotion, research, and business. Additionally, feedback from professional pharmacists both nationally and internationally continues to shape the programme’s development.
Fostering collaboration
Dr Claire Lennon, SETU Pharmacy Programme Development Lead, spoke about stakeholder engagement as a vital component of the course development. She said, “Today’s event is an exciting opportunity to continue to shape the future of pharmacy education at SETU. It fosters collaboration between our team here at SETU, and our network of regional stakeholders whose insight and expertise play pivotal roles in our design and delivery of the MPharm programme.”
Dr Lennon continued, “Our multi-disciplinary, cross-campus teams are actively working to design and accredit this course, ensuring it meets the highest educational and professional standards. To our pharmacist partners, your insight, collaboration, and engagement are vital to the success of this initiative. We are hugely grateful for your support to date, and we look forward to partnering with you in shaping the future of pharmacy education in the region.”
Workforce needs
SETU’s event featured a panel discussion with the theme of 'Modern Pharmacy Education: Aligning with Sectoral Needs'. The theme explored workforce needs and collaborative opportunities in pharmacy education to ensure future pharmacists can act as leaders in the changing pharmacy and healthcare landscape.
Thank you
SETU would like to thank panellists on the evening: Daragh Connolly, superintendent pharmacist, Chairperson Bureau of Pharmaceutical Practice and a Bureau Member at the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Dr Niall O’Reilly, Centre Manager PMBRC, Tess Ames, Ocular therapeutics Research Group, SETU, Aifric Heffernan, Quality Assurance Specialist, Sanofi Waterford, committee member of Pharmacists in Industry Education and Regulatory, and Cliona Hayden, Pharmacist Executive Manager 3, University Hospital Waterford, member of National Executive of the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland. The panel was Chaired by Professor Helen Hughes, Academic-Enterprise Liaison for Eco-Innovation, SETU.
For more information about the MPharm, tap here.
