EPSF:
A history of gold An independent non-governmental and non-profit association of pharmacy students, the Egyptian Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (EPSF), was established in January 1982 under the supervision of the Egyptian Pharmaceutical Federation (the national FIP) and the Egyptian Pharmacists Syndicate. EPSF represents about 85,000 pharmacy students and recent graduates from 37 Egyptian pharmacy schools. As a Full Member organization representing Egypt in International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF), our achievements:
In 2010-2011, EPSF was the winner of IPSF Annual Award for the overall best performance association in the world. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), EPSF ranked eighth in the world in diabetes awareness campaigns in 2012-2013.
In December 2013, EPSF holds the Guinness World Record for "the Most Blood Glucose Tests Taken in 24 Hours," as well as spreading diabetes awareness to over 10,000 people. EPSF was awarded at the Arab states’ League on World Blood Donation Day 2016. In August 2016, EPSF was awarded second-place winner in Compounding Event international competition. EPSF was named the top federation in the IPSF Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (IPSF EMRO) for the mandate of 2016-2017. EPSF was recognized by the National Blood Transfusion Centre as the best Egyptian student organization that performed a blood donation campaign. EPSF was awarded first-place winner in various IPSF competitions such as: 1. IPSF Member Association Poster Competition. 2. IPSF Tuberculosis Poster Competition. 3. IPSF Patient Counselling international competition at 60th IPSF World Congress. 4. IPSF Patient Counselling international competition in IPSF 62nd World Congress. 5. IPSF Antimicrobial resistance awareness campaign. 6. Students Exchange Program Assay Competition.
Throughout the years, our international events hosting : IPSF Annual World Congress 3 times: 1. In August 1984, Alexandria hosted the 30th IPSF Annual World Congress. 2. In August 2001, IPSF held its 47th Annual World Congress in Cairo. 3. In August 2012, The 58th IPSF Annual World Congress was held in Hurghada. In July 2016, EPSF organized the 6th IPSF Eastern Mediterranean Pharmaceutical Symposium in Cairo. In August 2022, the 67th IPSF Annual World Congress will be held in Hurghada, Egypt. We can’t wait to meet you all, this summer!
Egypt, beyond the surface
Egypt is well known around the world for having a rich culture with deeply rooted ancient civilization. However, even though this is entirely true, a lot of people overlook an equally important side of Egypt that those who come here experience right away, and that is the people.
The people of Egypt are known for their friendliness, acceptance, hospitality, and of course their fun nature. In Egypt, hospitality has a deep meaning and is considered a fundamental characteristic of its culture. Egyptians care about being warm-hearted and everyone generally takes care of each other. You’d start to feel like you are part of a family even with all the cultural differences and distance away from home. Hence, we decided to test this theory by asking our incoming “SEPers”, And here was “Layal from Lebanon” heartfelt response while she was enjoying the Nile view when we asked her about the thoughts she previously had about Egypt:
“I guess the entire world knows that Egypt is a historic country. It has a lot of beautiful histories, for example, the pyramids, a lot of history happened in Egypt.”
“So, we have these thoughts and then when I came here, I discovered that it’s not only about the country and history, it’s also about the beautiful people out here. They’re very outgoing, they’re very fun and that’s what makes you love the country even more. When you’re around people and they’re very sociable and they love you and they welcome you. You would just be very interested to avoid leaving them and you would get attached to the country.”
And when asked about the thing she loved the most about Egypt, her response was also the people, and the food, specifically “Kushari” so you might want to try it out yourself! To conclude, although the great pyramids of Giza are one of the seven Wonders of the World, we believe there is more to Egypt than that. You could be a part of that family too, at IPSF’s World Congress in Egypt where you would be making life-long friends and an experience of a lifetime with people from all around the globe.
A step towards a brighter future: Educational Symposium The IPSF World Congress is a prime opportunity for travelling, experiencing new cultures, meeting people from around the world, and expanding your horizons. Nevertheless, let’s not forget its main goal that’s helping individual new and future pharmacists of the world take a positive step towards their future and helping them see pharmacy with a new lens. How pharmacy advances is through the advancement and education of individuals. That’s why the World Congress is ready for all its attendees with a dazzling educational program that will for sure be a very unique experience.
The main theme of the educational program is External Pharmacy, which is the core of all pharmacy professions. The program will specifically focus on The role of Pharmacist in the age of digital healthcare services and how this affects patient safety. In an attempt to help attendees understand more about digitalization, how to cope with the daily new innovations in healthcare, and patient-centred healthcare. Consequently, the educational program will cover four main aspects: 1. Technologies 2. Practical applications
3. Innovation and entrepreneurship 4. Inter professional skills In order to give the attendees the full experience, our educational team has prepared an assortment of workshops and sessions to help aid in their understanding. Including: Panel discussion: “Pharmacy across the world” Discussing global pharmacy and how pharmacy across the world is and how it has advanced. This discussion will give the partakers the chance to deeply understand the concept of diversity, in both healthcare and patients. Understanding the diversity of patients is a vital factor in providing quality patient care. Pharmacy history in Egypt: “Whispers from Pharaohs” Pharmacy began in ancient Egypt as the utilisation of medicinal plants in the treatment of ailments. It was only passed information from generation to the next until they started being more interested in the medical sciences and, along with the innovations of many other great civilisations, gave us pharmacy and medicine as we know today. Panel discussion: “A Whole New World” Discussing digitalization, new trends in healthcare, and how to keep up with them. The partakers will be learning about the appropriate use of digital technologies for health, remote patient monitoring new technologies in the manufacturing of drugs, and much more. Patient safety between the past and future: “100% Safety” The issue of patient safety is more complex than we may think. It depends on multiple factors and ranges from low risk patients taking OTC drugs to high risk patients during surgery. Don’t forget!! You can always check the details of these sessions and the scientific symposium, which we will talk about later, on our website.
The lost city of
apy’s
H
Stood at the very edge of ancient Egypt, for centuries grazing down upon the ships blowing from the Mediterranean. HAPY! Son of Horus, god of fertility, lord of the river, and on his plinth a massive gatekeeper to one of the greatest port cities in ancient Egypt. Scattered across a series of interlinked islands, sand, and mud banks, there was Thonis-Heracleoin-a name which was both Greek and Egyptian- was an ancient Egyptian bustling gateway to the Mediterranean, Hapy’s center of ruling and thus its nexus with the western world. Until one day, probably towards the end of the second century BBC, there was a tremor, and the ground began to churn and liquefy at Hapy’s feet. The city fell below the sea and all the hidden mysteries had fallen alongside it. For centuries, the city of Heracleoin has been shrouded in the myth and thought to be a legend. Although Thonis-Heracleoin was mentioned by many of the great chronicles of antiquity, most detailed knowledge of their existence was feared to have been permanently lost. In the early 2000s, however, a group of divers working on the Egyptian coast found a large fragment of rock under the sea and bought up to the land. It was a piece of Hapy. Soon deeper excavations started and more hidden treasures came to the surface from the old stone figurine of Cleopatra III to gold coins and status. Unlike Babylon, Pompeii, or mystical Atlantis, few people today have heard of ThonisHeracleoin while it controlled a significant era of pomp and prestige. Only, by the second century BC, Thonis-Heracleoin’s era of pomp and prestige started to fade o. It wasn't a single natural disaster that doomed the city, but rather a combination of them all. The central island, already sagging under the weight of the main temple, succumbed to liquefaction. In what must have been a terrifying experience, the hard clay solid turned to liquid in moments and the buildings atop it collapsed swiftly into the water.
Multi-Cultural by Nature Egypt is one of the most interesting and oldest civilizations in the world without a doubt. The only surviving wonder of the world, The Great Pyramids of Giza, along with ancient statues, tombs, and monuments, are front liners of presenting great ancient Egypt. Another side, yet is as interesting as ancient Egypt, is the Egyptian Culture. Egyptians are multicultural by heart, i.e. People in different cities have different accents, different customs, distinctive food, and unique traditions. Some cities can even have entirely different languages, that were acquired for millennials. These facts confirm that Egyptian People are diverse, and are used to accepting cultural differences. Not only Egyptian people are interesting, but also Egyptian Cities. Starting from the sprawling Capital, Cairo, which is one of the most populated cities in the world, where you can visit the National Egyptian Museum, witness a trove of royal mummies, and the luxurious King Tutankhamun antiquities. Aswan city, in upper Egypt, is most known for the Nile River and water so clear that you can practice swimming. Speaking of swimming, the Red Sea is, without question, the best place to dive in Egypt. Cities like Gouna &Hurghada, are perfect spots offering various diving opportunities for unforgettable experiences. Last, but indeed not least, if you are looking for one of the most famous meals in the middle east, you are looking for the Egyptian Cuisine. Egyptian food from all over the country takes a major role in shaping the culture by means of its deliciousness, and its differences across the cities. If you are having a walk or just Wandering around, you would get a whole cultural experience.
