Quest International University Perak (QIUP) today inaugurated Quest Pharmacy, a community pharmacy for staff, students and the public at its premise in Ipoh. This makes QIUP the first University in the country to own and operate its own pharmacy.
Quest Pharmacy will serve 3 main purposes i.e. providing pharmaceutical service to the university fraternity, fulfilling the concept of teacher-practitioners and a teaching pharmacy for the training of pharmacy undergraduates.
The new pharmacy houses both latest software system and education space with next-generation technology to prepare future pharmacists for the changing health care landscape, using QIUP’s innovative Pharmacy curriculum. The pharmacy will not only serve students and staff on campus but also the local community in the vicinity and family members of staff and students.
Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Nicholas Goh stressed that the university firmly believes in preparing students for the real world and be job ready when they graduate.
“I am proud to be launching Quest Pharmacy today as indeed it will allow our students to be hands on in Community Pharmacy Practice under the supervision of registered pharmacists and this will prepare them to be job-ready. This move shows our commitment to our students.
“While many institutions out there have mock pharmacies, I am happy we have a full-fledged pharmacy which will ensure our students learn how to handle real patients and not mock patients. This will prepare them to start work immediately after they graduate” added Mr Nicholas.
Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Professor Datuk Dr. Allan Mathews thanked the management of the University, especially Mr. Nicholas Goh in helping to make Quest Pharmacy a reality.
“When we first started the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme, we wanted to make our programme unique and different from the others. We were challenged to think outside the box and that is when the idea of Quest Pharmacy was mooted in line with the Faculty’s Tagline of “Real World Holistic Pharmacy Education”
“Despite the numerous challenges faced, we kept on pushing for the Pharmacy, dealing with and overcoming the various challenges as and when they arise and our vision has come to fruition today with the opening of Quest Pharmacy”, stressed Datuk Allan.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Raman Narayanasamy who was also present at the ceremony congratulated the Faculty of Pharmacy for rising up to the occasion and hoped for more innovative steps among the various faculties.
