The Hague • 20 October 2023
A network for pharmaceutical academic capacity building, best practice sharing and educational exchanges in the South-East Asian region is launched by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) today in the form of a new FIP-UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) UNITWIN centre for excellence.
The centre, established under the auspices of FIP’s partnership with UNESCO concerning the UNITWIN Network on Global Pharmacy Education Development, aims to promote an integrated system of pharmacy research, teaching and training, as well as community engagement and communication. Seven universities from five of the 11 countries in the World Health Organization South-East Asia region (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand) are founding members. “This centre for excellence brings together pharmacy education experts and resources in the region to advance the transformation of pharmaceutical education inspired by the FIP-UNITWIN regional roadmaps on pharmaceutical education and aligned with the FIP Development Goals,” said Dr Ranjani Shakya, of Kathmandu University, Nepal, and Lead of the new centre.
FIP CEO Dr Catherine Duggan said: “Our second FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN centre for excellence leverages the achievements and expertise gained from the pioneering FIP-UNITWIN Network and its distinguished FIP UNESCO UNITWIN Centre for Excellence in Africa. The ultimate aim is to support pharmaceutical education institutions deliver a pharmaceutical workforce able to meet our world’s needs. Our regional approach recognises that one size does not fit all for pharmaceutical education transformation because of the diverse needs and systems across different countries and regions. We welcome academic institutions from other countries in the region to join the centre.”
Anticipated key outcomes of this centre for excellence include the adaptation of the FIP Global Competency Framework for practice in South-East Asia, publication of a continuing professional development toolkit for educators and students and development of an academic capacity training series.
“This centre is an important development in our region. I look forward to seeing its outcomes benefit future pharmacy practice in our countries,” said Dr Rao Vadlamudi, Professional Secretary, South-East Asia Regional Pharmaceutical Forum.
FIP plans to have centres of excellence in each WHO world region by 2024.
Notes for editors
More information about the FIP-UNESCO UNITWIN programme is available here.
ABOUT FIP
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, and is in official relations with the World Health Organization. Through our 156 member organisations, we represent over four million practitioners and scientists around the world. Our vision is a world where everyone benefits from access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and pharmaceutical care. www.fip.org
PRESS CONTACT
Lin-Nam Wang, head of communications & advocacy
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
Email linnam@fip.org
Tel +31 70 302 1987