UIPS Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Career (IEC) Series webinar under MHRD Institution’s Innovation Council and Placement Cell
“Career Overseas: Un-fogging the Future”
University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS) organized an
international webinar on “Career Overseas: Un-fogging the Future” by
the alumnus Ms Aarushi Grover Genentech, Member of Roche Pharma, USA,
Ms Sugandha Gupta, University of Kansas, USA and Ms Deepshikha Uppal,
Community Pharmacy, Canada all from the B-Pharm 2013-2017 batch of UIPS.
Ms Aarushi Grover shared on how to prepare for the exam GRE. She also
discussed at length how to prepare application package including
preparation of statement of purpose, getting recommendation letters,
transcripts. She gave an insight into the minutest details which require
attention. She very explicitly shared about the visa application. She
emphasized that supervisors in foreign universities are keen to know
about student’s behavior. Behavior is very important aspect of one’s
personality and they are really serious about it. They usually ask
behavioral questions like “Please recall how you reacted when someone
hurt you? Or how you handled a particular real-life situation you
faced?” In brief she suggested that what ever claims you make in your
application you must have examples or situations to back it.
Sugandha explained details of TOEFL exam, and how to
prepare for it. She deliberated upon whether to apply for MS or a PhD
Program and shared that Masters is always a good place to start with,
which you can finish in short time and can get a job right after that.
She said that if one is interested in getting into academics and
research, then opting for PhD is a good option. Also, she shared her
experience about choosing right university and how geographical location
plays an important role in landing a good job. She contemplated upon
creating a good network with faculty, academicians, and industry people,
which helps you excel in your career. She also emphasized that making
an informed decision is very important. She discussed about available
options of funding after getting admission including the part time work
options.
Deepshikha shared that not too many fellowships are
available for pursuing your studies in Canada. So, one need be careful
while filing the applications. She said we need to shortlist places
which are amenable to a relatively comfortable life as it is very cold
to live in Canada. She discussed about preparing for IELTS and
emphasized that coaching usually helps. One may also need to hire a
consultant to know about the fee structure and one must also purchase
GIC which is guaranteed investment certificate which really helps you
once you land in Canada. She emphasized on engaging oneself in research
programs for the students while doing your graduation also. She detailed
about the Pharmacy examining board of Canada and pointed out the most
important things about the schools of Pharmacy and examination patterns
in Canada.
As several students seek opportunities to move abroad for higher
education, so this lecture was organized under the MHRD Institution’s
Innovation Council and Placement Cell of UIPS. It was indeed a very
interactive session with many queries of the students being resolved.
This would surely help the students to decide for their career at an
early stage so that effective planning can be done and executed
accordingly.
Professor Indu Pal Kaur, Chairperson UIPS & President IIC and Head
Placement cell informed that more than 130 participants from Panjab
University and other National Institutes along with faculty members of
UIPS attended the webinar.
Few specific questions put forth by the B Pharm Students included:
Priyansha Singh asked “Is it worth studying abroad, when I have
everything in my city like the best of the universities and good job
opportunities.” Yashdeep Mukheja asked “Do you think it’s worth it to
study abroad? And is it that we return with better skills?
Answer: It is worth studying in India no doubt about that. However,
training from abroad opens new vistas, helps you better unfold your
personality as you are exposed to a foreign environ and definitely
broadens your horizons. It will further sharpen your technical skills
that will give you an edge in your future career whether in India or
abroad.
Ananya Singh asked “Which specific field of Pharmacy is more renowned
overseas? (Both in Canada as well as US)”
Answer: All fields of Pharmacy are more or less equally renowned
overseas. However, it is individual zeal and understanding of subject
that matters and creates difference in one’s life not the specific field
that one has chosen.
Garima Khanna put her question “Is it possible to know beforehand if a
Principal Investigator (PI)/Researcher/Supervisor will allow a TA? Could
you name some good Universities to the geographical area?
Answer: No, PI won’t give you TA beforehand. Once you land there, and
after face to face interaction with you, PI usually give TA depending
upon availability of funds. However, one can politely ask about TA
before going to that University.
Garima Khanna asked What would be the impact of COVID on all the steps
that you mentioned? Tanya Gupta asked is it a good option to continue in
India with respect to the current Covid situation.
Answer: In current COVID conditions, there is a massive slow down.
However, it will recover very soon especially in the field of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and biotechnology, by the time you graduate.
Further it is good to take one step at a time.
Gauri Goyal asked “Are professors there as welcoming to foreign students
as they are to local students?”
Answer: Yes. Don’t worry about that. UIPS has very good reputation
abroad and majority of faculties from leading institutions in USA as
well as Canada are aware of Pharmacy Professionals from Panjab
University.
Abhishek Dhirta asked “What were you doing in your 3rd or 4th sem of
yours B Pharm other then academia. Divya Bajaj asked “Are other things
needed other than academics? Aashish and Guramrit Kaur asked about
potential internships during B. Pharm.
Answer: Yes, we need to involve other extracurricular activities as
well. During B. Pharm, we involved in various academic activities like
volunteering in the DST Inspire Internship Camps organised by UIPS that
sharpen our organisational skills. We were also associated with ROTRACT
where we were associated with community service. In addition, we also
took training in Pharmacovigilance from PGIMER that helped us to
understand side effect profile of medicines and unmet medical needs.
However, in new Pharmacy Curriculum there is a project work in 7th
semester where students will get flavour of research internship with
faculty.
Aashish asked “Do we require coaching for GRE or preparation can be done
at home?”
Answer: Yes one need to go in for coaching. However, group studies are
the key to success.
Aastha Bhardwaj asked “America considers a 5 year degree if one wants to
get registered as a pharmacist. Is this a problem as we have a 4 year
degree here in PU?”
Answer: It is not a 5- or a 4- year program that is considered. What
they match is the credits and it is possible that you complete your
credits of their 5 year program in 4 years of your B Pharm program.
Otherwise they may ask you to complete certain credits.
Divya Bajaj asked “What are the chances of acceptance only with normal
academics?
Answer: It may be difficult, but if you are able to justify why you did
not fare well in a particular subject or semester then you could get
through. Or you may make your application interesting by adding other
skills you have that may compensate for not so promising academics. But
you need to work special on your statement of purpose in that case.
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