AfRO newsletter by IPSF AfRO

AfRO Newsletter

Editorial

ello AfRO

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the new AfRO year and the new African Regional Working Group.

We are excited to begin our mandates and have many initiatives we wish to complete and with your help, take AfRO to great heights

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Please enjoy our first newsletter and watch this space for more to come :)

rmpo@ipsf.org

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Nigel RMPO

AfRO Newsletter

Contents

Editorial …………………………………………………..2 Contents…………………………………………………..3 Chairperson.…………………………………………….4 Regional Relations Officer………..……………...6 Regional Projects Officer..………………………..7 Secretary………………………………………………….8 4th IPSF AfPS Chairperson………………………..9 Regional Media & Publications Officer.......10 Upcoming Events……………………..……………..11 61st World Congress…………..…………………..12 4th IPSF AfPS…………………………………………..13

International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation

PO Box 84200 2508 AE Den Haag The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 70 302 1992 Fax: +31 70 302 1999

AfRO Newsletter

Chairperson

Prosper Maposa

ear IPSFers all over the World,

In a dynamic World where change is the only constant the science and practice of pharmacy is changing with it. It is our mandate to shape an innovative future for the next generation of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. If the next generation is to look at the past for lessons and inspiration our duty is to be the architects of the future. Let us be the change that we want to see and make the World a better place than the state that we found it in. The best way to do it (for me at leastJ) is to enjoy the World whilst improving it.

“If the next generation is to look at the past for lessons and inspiration our duty is to be the architects of the future” Hello IPSFers around the world allow me to introduce myself. My name is Prosper Maposa, the Vice President of the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) (2014 - 15) and the Chairperson of the IPSF African Regional Office (AfRO) (2013 – 15) from the sunshine city of Harare, Zimbabwe. Professionally, I am a Research Fellow in nanomedicine at the University of Zimbabwe School of Pharmacy and also the Pharmacy Projects Coordinator for a start-up international pharmaceutical company operating in Zimbabwe. I look forward to meeting as many IPSFers as I can during the 2014 -15 mandate.

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As the Chairperson of the African Regional Office I am honoured to be working with a skilful and motivated Regional Working Group (RWG) and a focused and efficient Executive Committee (ExCO). Leadership is not theoretical, we learn how to lead by being leaders in practice. During the mandate we plan to collaborate with all the other regions of IPSF, try out new approaches to reach out to member organizations and keep on approaching potential member countries so that we can be a part of the growth and development of IPSF. Realistically speaking we expect to meet challenges but no matter how difficult the circumstances we will be ready to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and learn from the situations as we move on. 4

Chairperson cont... The African Regional Office currently has 10 member countries in IPSF. I would like to welcome with joy Ivory Coast a new member country that joined IPSF during the 60th General Assembly in Portugal hopefully we can expand more into the French speaking West African countries’ region. We will continue with our membership promotion efforts during the year both in

the West and the South and also look forward to more full membership applications from the Members in Association. Parallel to the membership promotion drive the African regional office will also lean toward improving the quality and reporting structure of the activities, campaigns and workshops run by member countries.

The African Regional Office currently has 10 member countries in IPSF”

It was memorable and breath taking meeting IPSFers at the 3rd IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and at the 60th IPSF World Congress in Portugal. Next year July and August we meet again in Rwanda for the 4th IPSF AfPS and in India for the 61st IPSF World Congress respectively. As the global economy tightens and more graduates are being produced, the competition for jobs and opportunities further intensifies. Even at a global level downsizing, outsourcing and a need for pharmacists to show their worth to the bottom line means career competition is escalating. Imagine an exposure that might mean the difference between a mediocre and an

AfRO Newsletter

exceptional breakthrough. Getting together at events is only the beginning, getting to know one another is progress and from these fundamental steps we can then be able to work together and our success as a federation will be guaranteed. See you at the next IPSF Event. Yours in IPSF, Prosper Maposa ChP of the IPSF African Regional Office (2013 – 15) IPSF Vice President (2014 - 15) chairperson@afro.ipsf.org vice.presiedent@ipsf.org

Regional Relations Officer

’m a 4th year Pharmacy Student at the University of Rwanda. Passionate about research, aspire to be an advocate for patient-centered care and committed to providing an optimized quality of care. I spend my time reading, writing and storytelling as an active blogger and social media enthusiast. Also interested about youth empowerment and engage with fellow youth on different platforms in the country to discuss on different matters concerning us.

Israel Bimpe I’m from Rwanda, the heart of Africa, the green undulating landscape of hills, gardens and tea plantations. home to one third of the world remaining Mountain Gorillas, one third of Africa's bird species, several species of primates, Volcanoes, Congo - Nile Trail, resorts and islands on the expansive Lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and friendly people. Since 2011, when I joined Pharmacy school at the University of Rwanda, I have been keen to explore Pharmacy. Trough RPSA, I came across IPSF, and IPSF defined Pharmacy in many more ways than I could have thought of and gave me a hope to realize everything I could have dreamed of. This led to me working as Regional Relations Officer of the IPSF African Regional Office for the 2015-2014 mandate. When I started serving as Student Exchange Officer for Rwanda, I got exposed to what RPSA Team is and their work, with an amazing Student Exchange Committee and Chairperson of Student Exchange, I discovered how cool and brain stimulating it can be to be part of IPSF. I then decided to travel to Zimbabwe for the 3rd African Pharmaceutical Symposium which ended up being one the best experience I ever got since I joined

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Pharmacy school. With a goal and zeal to be part of the IPSF winning team, I vied for my post and eventually won. I’m looking forward to become a better me empowered by all activities and opportunities IPSF expose you to. For these few months I have been serving, I realized that my communication and leadership skills improved gradually, as I have to offer guidance and solutions on different issues. When I have to give inputs and comments in meetings. I got to know more about professional development, Public health and pharmacy education activities. I’m getting be informed on global issues and engage myself on array of global problem and most importantly, the process of problem solving. I’m just growing in all facets of the profession. I hope to discover trough IPSF different places and cultures, make many more friends from all corners of the world. I truly relate to the fact which is that one never gets out of IPSF, there is no post IPSF-life, once an IPSFer, always an IPSFer, there is an entrance into IPSF but not an exit. 6

Regional Projects Officer

C Amina Ndope

reating Infinite Ripples.

My journey with the Federation started just like any other’s. First, some over-enthusiastic individual tells you about this entity they’ve experienced called IPSF that has so many exciting faucets, people and opportunities. Their over-enthusiasm generates a tiny spark of interest which compels you to go online and find out exactly what the whole fuss is about.

“This year, our focus project as the African Regional Office is Pharmacy Professional Awareness Campaign. “ Then you end up spending hours and hours mesmerized by the discovery of thousands of pharmacy students throughout the world just like you, doing mind blowing things while they develop in the profession and thus, the obsession begins. Well at least this was how my journey began back in 2012. I am Amina Ndope, the Regional Projects Officer of the AfRO regional office and about to graduate after a five year training in a Bachelor’s degree of pharmacy. After being introduced to the world of IPSF, I was itching to get involved and therefore started out as a local contact person, went on to become the contact person of the national association, NUPSA (Nairobi University Pharmacy Students’ Association), which later evolved to KEPhSA (Kenya Pharmacy Students’ Association) due to the expansion of pharmacy professional training in the country. I later

AfRO Newsletter

served in the editorial committee, before vying for the position of Regional Projects Officer. Throughout my involvement in different settings, I have been fortunate to learn immensely about servitude, people, leadership and self; Lessons I hope to carry throughout the rest of my journey with you during my tenure. I have always been fascinated by the possibility of linking people of different cultures and personalities with the same goals and aspirations and IPSF offers exactly that. As a pharmacist in training, you can begin to make a difference in people’s lives right at this moment. Aim to have a hands on approach to the practice by participating or organizing various projects including public health campaigns, workshops and events focused on professional development.

More So, reporting the incredible things that you manage to achieve in your local association provides a window for the world on what goes on in your setting and can inspire someone reading it to implement the same in their locality.

your calendar of activities. A thing as simple as printing out a brochure on the roles of a pharmacist qualifies!

As professionals of the the new age Africa, we have the capability to make changes beyond what has previously been achieved, and have been offered This year, our focus project as the Afri- the platform to do so. A Professor Dexcan Regional Office is Pharmacy Proter Tagwire, during the 3rd AfPS said fessional Awareness Campaign. This that Pharmacists are by nature and particular project aims at informing the training brilliant, and all seem to pospublic about the crucial role the phar- sess the ‘I cubed factor’, a quality that macist has in healthcare and address- defines us as inventors, innovators and ing misconceptions that may exist re- initiators of things. Communities are garding the pharmacy profession, core in our existence. To act on these therefore building a better rapport qualities of innovation, invention and with them. Although a campaign kit initiation can make an impact in our will be coming up soon, don’t hesitate communities which will create infinite to integrate this awareness campaign ripples. in the other campaigns that you do in

Secretary My name is Liniah Mumbengegwi and I am a graduate of the Rhodes University Faculty of Pharmacy in South Africa. It is a great honour and previlage to be a part of this year’s African Regional Working Group ()ARWG) as the Secretary for a second term,.

As Secretary, my responsibilities include ensuring that the regional office runs smoothly and to maintain Contact with all stakeholders. It is my hope that we continue to grow as leaders of tomorrow and as a federation.

After becoming involved with the South African Pharmacy Students Federation (SAPSF), I realized that there is so much more I could do for Pharmacy in Africa as a whole. This calling found answer by my joining IPSF on the subcommittee of Medicine Awareness and on the committee the ARWG.

It was once said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success”.

AfRO Newsletter

Liniah Mumbengegwi

Here is to another successful year!

4th IPSF AfRO Symposium Chairperson

am UWASE Marie Ange, 4th year pharmacy student at University of Rwanda-Huye campus, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Department of Pharmacy.

Uwase Marie Ange I believe that Pharmacists are experts of medicines and my role as future pharmacist is to ensure the quality, availability, accessibility and rational use of pharmaceutical products. But I cannot stop asking to myself those questions: If we are really studying 5 years or 6 years to become experts of medicines, why Polypharmacy practices are still happening in our countries? Why the majority of medication errors are still occurring at prescription and dispensing levels? Why patients are dying of irrational use of medicines? Are we “real pharmacists” or “called pharmacists”?

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Pharmacists, let us stand firmly in our positions and fight for our good professional image. Let us improve public confidence by ensuring the safe use of medicines. Let us document as much as we can to provide good health care services to our population (patients).Let us join our efforts, work as one team and we shall fulfill our responsibilities. A live pharmacist saves lives of many people.

Regional Media and Publications Officer

D Nigel Sibanda

I am a recent graduate of the Rhodes University Faculty of Pharmacy in Grahamstown, South Africa. Besides pharmacy, I have a great passion for emerging technologies in social media and the related fields. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fast moving world, these technologies have become key in our communication and there is no excuse for our profession not to link itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress with the rest of the technological world.

ear IPSFers

My name is Nigel Sibanda, the new Regional Media and Publications Officer. I am delighted to be part of this team of movers, shakers, innovators and initiators you know as the African Regional Working Group (ARWG).

This allowed me to fulfil my zeal to explore the world of media within pharmacy .Later on, my office on the Presidential Committee of the South African Pharmacy Students Federation (SAPSF) as the Media and Communications officer moved me closer to this passion.

I plan to continue to strive to put pharmacy on the map and to provide the world with information to reverse stereotypes that see From my early years in varsity, I have always been pharmacist as just pill pushers behind the eager to get involved in our profession at a level counter. To teach that we research, manufacture, deeper than academic participation. I joined the diagnose, prescribe, and are still the custodians of Rhodes University Pharmacy Students Association medicine. as the Media and Entertainment Representative.

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Upcoming events… WORLD CONGRESS The World Congress is the momentous activity of the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation. It is the biggest annual gathering of pharmacy students across the world at one place. It is a 10 day event held in a different country every year, where, Presidents of International Pharmaceutical Students’ Associations, pharmacy students and professionals from nearly 85 countries participate. It serves as a platform to discuss issues related to the field of pharmacy globally, which can help in attaining unification of the pharmacy education across the globe. It is a one-stop Conference for: Establishing a permanent form of contact with representative organizations of pharmaceutical students as well as cooperating with each member organization on exclusively scientific, educational and cultural planes, the Federation being non-political – A GLOBAL CONTACT-POINT EVENT!

Exchange of cultures and history. Celebrating pharmacy like never before! – AN ENRICHING EXPERIENCE! Registration Opening Date: 4th January Register Online at: https://ipsf2015.org/main/regprocess.html AFRICAN PHARMACEUTICAL SYMPOSIUM The IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS) is an international event held annually for pharmacy students, recent graduates and pharmacy professionals especially in the African region. The program includes a symposia on topics of pharmaceutical interest and of scientific and educational nature, meetings and workshops, a pre-AfPS training program and several social events. The 4th African Pharmaceutical Symposium to be held in Rwanda in July 2015 will see more than 300 delegates from over 10 African countries and others from all over the world travel to Rwanda.

Promoting exchange of ideas, challenges and issues faced by students globally, representing the opinions of pharmaceutical students in disRegistration Opening Date: 1st February cussions with professional, governmental and non-governmental organizations and encouragRegister Online at: ing full dissemination of scientific and professional knowledge - AN ALL-INCLUSIVE CONFLU- http://www.afps2015.org/ ENCE OF PHARMACY AND KNOWLEDGE.

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61st IPSF World Congress

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4th IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium

AfRO Newsletter

PO Box 84200 2508 AE Den Haag The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 70 302 1992

International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation

Fax: +31 70 302 1999 AfRO Newsletter