A pathfinder toolkit to aid the global expansion of centres of excellence for pharmaceutical education institutions is available from FIP from today.

The toolkit builds on successes achieved through the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN programme in sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade. The FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN programme seeks to advance pharmaceutical education research, training and curriculum development by establishing university networks and encouraging inter-university cooperation worldwide. This has enabled developments in undergraduate training and continuing education, and improved communication of scientific innovation and healthcare outcomes. The pathfinder toolkit provides guidance for establishing further networks in regions around the world. It contains case studies from Centre of Excellence for Africa (CfEA) experts. Their experiences on topics including legislative steps, strategic planning, decision-making, leadership, membership and marketing are shared. “The founders and members of the CfEA encourage academic institutions in other regions to engage in FIP UNITWIN programmes to deliver education that addresses national, regional and international needs in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. With the leadership of the African Pharmaceutical Forum, this toolkit will also facilitate the establishment of an Africa-wide pharmacy schools association to expand the successes of the CfEA across the continent,” said Nilhan Uzman, FIP lead for education policy and implementation. Find out more about the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN programme here.