Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar University (QU)’s College of Pharmacy organised the Pharmacy Education, Science and Practice Conference under the theme ‘Patient First: Advancing Pharmacy through Education, Science, and Practice’, spanning over three days. The conference reflects the rapid advancements in the field of pharmacy, mirroring ongoing transformations in education, science and clinical practice. It embodies QU’s commitment to placing patient care at the heart of pharmacy practice while fostering impactful innovation in pharmaceutical education, scientific research and professional practice.
The event served as an interactive platform for aspiring professionals, researchers, and passionate educators to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore the latest developments in pharmaceutical sciences—contributing to a brighter future for the pharmacy profession both locally and globally.
The conference welcomed over 300 participants from over 20 countries, including academics, students, and health professionals, and featured an elite group of keynote speakers. The programme included a series of workshops and discussion sessions designed to stimulate thought and open new avenues for professional growth and constructive engagement.
In her opening remarks, Reem Al-Mannai, assistant dean for student affairs at the College of Pharmacy, stated that the conference represents an inspiring academic milestone reflecting the university’s commitment to advancing pharmaceutical education and care.
"We are pleased to welcome participants to this pioneering event, which enhances the quality of education and research in pharmacy and supports best professional practices in the service of the patient,” she said.
Prof Asmaa Al-Thani, vice president for health and medical sciences at QU, affirmed that the conference represents a unique opportunity to explore the evolving role of the pharmacy profession in enhancing the quality of healthcare and improving patient outcomes.
Prof Mohamed Ahmedna, associate vice president for health and medical sciences at QU, stated, "The importance of this conference lies in the opportunity it offers to exchange expertise both locally and internationally, through collaboration with highly recognized and experienced individuals. The workshops and training sessions aim to achieve impactful outcomes, and the educational sessions provide valuable content, such as the lecture by Prof Sir Aziz Sheikh from the University of Oxford on developments in artificial intelligence.”
On the first day of the conference, the keynote sessions began by highlighting cutting-edge digital and data-driven approaches to medication safety, presented by Prof Sir Aziz Sheikh from the University of Oxford. This was followed by a session on improving patient outcomes through clinical and translational research at Hamad Medical Corporation, delivered by Dr Jassim Mohammed Al-Suwaidi. The day also included simultaneous side sessions focused on drug safety, medication optimization, the use of artificial intelligence in education, and developments in nanotechnology and drug delivery.
The second day featured key sessions addressing core issues in pharmaceutical policy, most notably a lecture on improving access to medicines through pricing policies, presented by Dr Karla Tisocki from the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva. Prof Dr Khaloud Al-Jamal from King’s College London delivered a lecture on personalszed nanomedicines for immunotherapy. The day also included diverse sessions focusing on patient-centered care, educational strategies, interdisciplinary research, and drug discovery, in addition to an interactive panel discussion and rapid-fire presentations.
On the final day, participants discussed the role of curriculum design in enhancing interprofessional communication and practice during a keynote session delivered by Prof Debra Rowett from the University of South Australia. Prof Aukje Mantel-Teeuwisse from Utrecht University reviewed the challenges and opportunities of generating evidence needed for effective regulatory and clinical decision-making. The day’s sessions covered in-depth topics in social pharmacy, experiential education, and pharmaceutical chemistry. The event concluded with an official ceremony and award distribution in recognition of outstanding efforts and high-quality research contributions.