New educational programme ‘Pharmaceutical cosmetology’ with a partner from Poland
Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, following modern trends in medicine and pharmacy that meet the needs of practice, creates sought-after educational programmes. Among them is the educational programme ‘Pharmaceutical Cosmetology’, developed for the first time in Kazakhstan in collaboration with Polish colleagues.
On 19 November, a motivational meeting was held by the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Sakipova Z.B., dedicated to the new educational programme (EP) ‘Pharmaceutical Cosmetology’, its realities and opportunities. The programme was developed following the results of the international project NAWA ‘Cosmetic Valley — International Scientific and Practical Cooperation in the Department of Cosmetology,’ which established an academic partnership between KazNMU and the University of Information Technology and Management (Rzeszów) and created a joint master’s programme in pharmaceutical cosmetology.
The coordinators of the jointly implemented programme are the dean of the School of Pharmacy of KazNMU named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, Professor Sakipova Z.B. and Professor Katarzyna Gaweł-Bęben.
In recent years, the cosmeceuticals market has shown steady growth. Cosmeceuticals are non-invasive, non-surgical, safe products designed for aesthetic care, restoration and improvement of skin condition without surgical intervention. The global cosmeceuticals market was valued at approximately $68.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to nearly $138.3 billion by 2032. This growth is driven by increasing demand for non-invasive care products with biologically active ingredients, as well as increased awareness of skin health. The global pharma & cosmetics market already exceeds USD 1.8 trillion, according to analysts’ estimates. These growth indicators confirm the relevance of pharmaceutical cosmetology and the need to train specialists, which is the focus of this master’s programme.
The Pharmaceutical Cosmetology educational programme comprises 120 credits. The duration of study is two years. The joint programme of the two universities involves the first year of study at KazNMU named after S.D. Asfendiyarov and the second year at the University of Information Technology and Management (Rzeszów, Poland). The partnership agreement between the universities No. 406-1/08.18 was signed on 14 August 2018.
The aim of the educational programme is to train competitive, competent personnel with professional, practical and research skills in the field of pharmaceutical cosmetology.
Mission: to train qualified specialists for healthcare organisations, pharmacies, enterprises engaged in the production and quality control of perfumery and cosmetic products, universities and research institutes in the field.
Distinctive features of the educational programme:
- joint master’s programme with a Polish university;
- training specialists for industries at the intersection of pharmacy and aesthetic cosmetology;
- training personnel in demand in the dynamically developing cosmetics sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- seminars and lectures by visiting professors, including experts in cosmetology, cosmeceuticals and dermatological sciences.
The educational programme in pharmocosmetology includes scientific internships in Poland: at the Medical University of Lublin and the University of Information Technology and Management (Rzeszów). Foreign specialists in the field of cosmetology and cosmeceuticals will be invited to give lectures and practical classes. Full-time seminars are planned at the Nickol / Christina training centres, aimed at mastering professional care lines, procedure protocols and modern cosmetic technologies. Classes will also be held at the KazNMU Centre for Pharmacy and Pharmacology, including the Scientific and Practical Laboratory of Cosmetology, where master’s students will implement projects on the development and evaluation of cosmetic products.
Career opportunities and advantages of studying the ‘Pharmaceutical Cosmetology’ programme:
- employment opportunities in the beauty industry and medical and
pharmaceutical organisations;
- the opportunity to enrol in a specialised PhD programme;
- access to international academic mobility (Poland);
- obtaining a Master’s degree in Health Care;
- the opportunity to open your own beauty centres and salons;
- the opportunity to undergo additional training according to ITEC
(International Therapy Examination Council)
or CIDESCO (Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie -International Committee for Aesthetics and Cosmetology) for work abroad.
The Pharmaceutical Cosmetology programme provides comprehensive training for specialists at the intersection of pharmacy and aesthetic medicine, combining theoretical knowledge, practical skills and scientific competencies. Graduates are prepared for professional work in medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetology organisations, as well as for developing their own businesses.
The international component of the programme and opportunities for academic mobility create competitive advantages in the labour market and open up prospects for further scientific and professional growth.
Participants in the motivational lecture showed great interest in the educational programme ‘Pharmaceutical Cosmetology’. In the autumn of 2023, 11 master’s students completed an internship at the University of Rzeszów as part of a partnership agreement between the universities. This year, master’s students also completed internships in Rzeszów.
