КazNMU on the international scene: participation in the conference of the European association of faculties of pharmacy (EAFP) 2025
From May 13-15, 2025, one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Coimbra (Portugal), hosted the annual conference of the European Association Faculties of Pharmacy (EAFP), which brought together more than 200 participants from 28 countries.
The European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy is at the forefront of developments in pharmaceutical education and pharmacy. The EAFP serves as a platform for its member institutions to be part of change, plan for the future and address challenges to ensure that the high standards achieved in pharmacy education and research in pharmacy faculties are maintained.
The Association holds annual conferences in different European universities where representatives of pharmacy faculties of European universities share their experience in pharmacy education and research, analyze innovative approaches, digital technologies and innovations.
The School of Pharmacy of S.D.Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University is a member of the European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy and successfully cooperates with EAFP and faculties of pharmacy of the universities belonging to this association.
The Portuguese University of Coimbra, which hosted the EAFP conference, is one of the top 500 best universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings.
The theme of the conference was “Pharmaceutical Education and Research: SWOT Analysis”.
The main objectives of the conference are:
— To analyze the current state of pharmaceutical education in Europe through the prism of SWOT model (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats);
— elaboration of new approaches to pharmaceutical research and training;
— discussing the integration of digital technologies and sustainable development of pharmacy;
— expansion of international partnerships between universities.
Conference features:
— panel discussions with leaders in pharmaceutical science;
— networking and work of research groups;
— innovative approaches to education and technology transfer.
As part of the conference, the pre-conference workshop “Using SWOT analysis for effective professional development planning” was held at the University of Coimbra.
EAFP President Professor Borut Božić (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia) gave a speech at the opening of the conference, in which he emphasized the importance of international collaboration in the context of global challenges. He noted that it is universities that set the vector of sustainable development of pharmaceutical education and science, ensuring the link between the academic environment and the real needs of the health care system.
After the plenary session, the conference participants continued their work in 5 sections:
1.рharmaceutical education and research: strengths;
2.pharmaceutical education and research: weaknesses;
3.pharmaceutical education and research: opportunities;
4.pharmaceutical education and research: threats;
5.stakeholder forum.
S.D. Asfendiyarov KazNMU was represented at the conference by the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Sakipova Zuriyadda Bektemirovna and doctoral student Keleke Anel.
Prof. Sakipova Z.B. made a report on the 3rd section with the theme: “Search for innovative plant ingredients with potential application in pharmaceutical cosmetology”.
Sakipova Z.B. presented the results of many years of scientific research in the field of medicinal plants of Kazakhstan and their potential in pharmaceutical cosmetology. The report aroused great interest among the conference participants and emphasized the scientific uniqueness of the Kazakhstani school of pharmacy.
“There is a huge pharmaceutical potential hidden in the plant biodiversity of Kazakhstan, and we strive to unlock it through science and international partnership,” Prof. Sakipova noted in her speech.
Doctoral student Keleke Anel participated in the pre-conference workshop “Using SWOT analysis for effective professional development planning”. She was a member of the working group and along with representatives of pharmacy faculties of European universities was one of the most active participants of the seminar, took part in the recommendations on the use of SWOT-analysis for effective planning of professional development.
During the conference the representatives of S.D.Asfendiyarov KazNMU held a lot of fruitful meetings with the conference participants from many European universities, discussed the prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation. Many delegates of the conference showed great interest in Kazakhstan, in pharmacy research and pharmacy education in the largest medical university of Kazakhstan. According to the results of the meetings, representatives of universities from Belgium, France, Holland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia showed willingness to cooperate with KazNMU named after S.D.Asfendiyarov.
Cooperation with international organizations is of great importance for the university. Participation of representatives of the School of Pharmacy of KazNMU named after S.D.Asfendiyarov in the conference EAFP-2025 strengthens the international position of KazNMU as an active participant of the scientific community. This is a confirmation of the high level of domestic pharmaceutical science and readiness for cooperation in the global arena. Participation in prestigious international conferences helps to establish contacts, start cooperation with top foreign universities. Such events open new horizons for our students and teachers, contributing to the development of sustainable academic diplomacy and joint research.
