At a time when Vizag is being projected as a pharma hub, the void between pharma professionals and academicians should be filled with joint collaborative programmes. An interactive meeting was conducted between academicians and pharma companies with Visakhapatnam MP K Hari Babu and Anakapalle MP M Srinivasa Rao being the lead speakers. The requirements of pharma companies were discussed at length. Meanwhile, the educationists raised issues related to establishment of new pharma companies in and around Visakhapatnam.
PHARMA INDUSTRIALIST
There is an international competition in the field. In the present scenario, Vizag, has been importing 60 per cent of raw material from China. Nearly one-third volume of the total pharma products from India are exported from here itself. There is a need to fulfil ‘Made in India’ concept in the present scenario by making and exporting more products in India. In the case of students, every one of them has to be trained and certified by the company. There is a need to set up office of the director of drug control and pharma cell office in the state.
- Lal Krishna, CEO, Pharma City, Visakhapatnam
Academicians
There must be a symbiosis between the students (Educational Institutions) and the pharma companies to ensure that students can be the best with all professional and technical qualifications after their passing out. Now a days, courses offered by some educational institutions are of no use. Curriculum re-scheduling, introducing bridge courses and part-time jobs for students in pharma companies and joint collaborative programmes are helpful.
- Professor Rama Krishna, chancellor, GITAM University
There is an immediate need to bridge the gap between the Industries. The Industries should come forward and tell what exactly they need, as such we would try to train the students in that perspective. Training before 6 months of relieving the educational institution is needed for which the pharma companies should allow the students to let them know what exactly the work would be. Such training camps will help students to get benefited. Students in this competitive world need hands on approach.
- GSN Raju, vice-chancellor, Andhra University
PHARMA INDUSTRIALIST
Many students lack basic knowledge in the field. We found that out when they came for interviews. Communication skills should be a part of the curriculum. There is a need to establish joint collaborative programmes between institutions and pharma companies. Also, some advanced production models in the labs are needed. I’ve seen some colleges where the relieved students were working as faculty. The trainers should be skilled professionals.
- K Girish,
Laurus Pharma company, Visakhapatnam
lOK SABHA MEMBERS
The Government would be providing 24x7 International air services at Visakhapatnam airport with the old terminal being converted into a cargo terminal for exports to other countries. We also assure that the government would provide 24x7 electricity for industries in the state so that pharma companies are invited to set up their branches here where appropriate land allotments will be also allowed. Visakhapatnam can be made a ‘pharma-hub’. Steps will be taken to set up National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Vizag. A training centre in around 50 acres of land will be set up with advanced pharmaceutical machinery at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore at Atchutapuram. - K HariBabu, Visakhapatnam MP
Though the students are falling short of certain requirements, they are well-determined and hard working. The basic approach of the companies should to let the educational institutions know what they need from the students and offer them training accordingly. These problems and the issues of the pharma companies will be taken to the notice of the state officials and rectified at the earliest.”
- M Srinivas Rao, Anakapalle MP and chairman of Avanthi Educational Institutions