Academic woes: COMSATS pharmacy dept students protest delay in recognition
The students accused the university administration of keeping them in the dark about the department’s status.
Future pharmacists: 500 students are currently enrolled at COMSATS pharmacy department. PHOTO: FILE
ABBOTABAD:
Students of the pharmacy department at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Abbottabad campus protested against the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan’s (PCP) delay in issuing recognition to the department.
The pharmacy department’s students boycotted classes on Monday and marched to the front gate of the campus carrying placards inscribed with slogans against the PCP and the university’s administration.
The protesting students said the first batch of 68 students graduated this year but the council has not issued them licences because COMSATS pharmacy department is not recognised by the council.
Furthermore, the students accused the administration of the university of keeping them in the dark about the department’s status. “At the time of admission the administration told us the pharmacy department was recognised,” said a student.
COMSATS University Abbottabad campus Media Coordinator Ghayasuddin Shah confirmed the graduates had not been issued licences. Discussing the pharmacy council’s delay in granting COMSATS an NOC, Shah said officials of Pharmacy Council of Pakistan visited the university in October and suggested some changes which included widening the classrooms and separating the pharmacy department’s library from the main library of the campus.
He further said the university administration followed the directives and brought the department’s structure in line with the council’s requirements. “The PCP’s final visit will be in January and COMSATS would hopefully get the NOC which would solve the issue once and for all,” he added.
Shah further said the pharmacy department at COMSATS was well-equipped and had modern laboratories, and 13 PhD professors with a strength of 500 students.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2013.
Students of the pharmacy department at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Abbottabad campus protested against the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan’s (PCP) delay in issuing recognition to the department.
The pharmacy department’s students boycotted classes on Monday and marched to the front gate of the campus carrying placards inscribed with slogans against the PCP and the university’s administration.
The protesting students said the first batch of 68 students graduated this year but the council has not issued them licences because COMSATS pharmacy department is not recognised by the council.
Furthermore, the students accused the administration of the university of keeping them in the dark about the department’s status. “At the time of admission the administration told us the pharmacy department was recognised,” said a student.
COMSATS University Abbottabad campus Media Coordinator Ghayasuddin Shah confirmed the graduates had not been issued licences. Discussing the pharmacy council’s delay in granting COMSATS an NOC, Shah said officials of Pharmacy Council of Pakistan visited the university in October and suggested some changes which included widening the classrooms and separating the pharmacy department’s library from the main library of the campus.
He further said the university administration followed the directives and brought the department’s structure in line with the council’s requirements. “The PCP’s final visit will be in January and COMSATS would hopefully get the NOC which would solve the issue once and for all,” he added.
Shah further said the pharmacy department at COMSATS was well-equipped and had modern laboratories, and 13 PhD professors with a strength of 500 students.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2013.