Continuity of the «Pharmacy» Program Across Educational Levels
On March 28, 2025, a roundtable took place at the School of Pharmacy of the Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, with the participation of university staff, the Department of Science and Human Resources of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and medical colleges of Kazakhstan. The topic was «Integration of Education, Science, and Practice in Pharmacy. Continuity of the Educational Program (EP) in the field of ‘Pharmacy’.»
The purpose of the event is to improve the quality of pharmaceutical education by ensuring the continuity of educational programs: technical and vocational education, undergraduate and postgraduate education.
The roundtable was organized with the support of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, represented by the chief expert of the Department of Science and Human Resources, A.S. Nauruzbayeva, chairpersons of the educational program and quality assurance committees, as well as the teaching staff of the School of Pharmacy at KazNMU named after S.D. Asfendiyarov and representatives from 35 medical colleges of Kazakhstan.
Pharmaceutical education plays a key role in preparing qualified specialists capable of effectively working in the healthcare sector. An important aspect is the continuity of educational levels and the development of interprofessional collaboration, which ensures high-quality pharmaceutical services.
The chief expert of the Department of Science and Human Resources at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A.S. Nauruzbayeva, noted that currently, 94 medical colleges in the country train healthcare professionals in technical, vocational, and post-secondary education, including 24 state and 70 non-state colleges. Over 7,000 students in 66 medical colleges are currently studying in the specialty «Pharmacy.» Of these, 1,200 are on a state-funded basis, and 6,206 are on a non-budgetary basis. In the 2023-2024 academic year, 2,758 new specialists graduated.
The Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Professor Z.B. Sakipova, presented on the continuity of educational levels in the «Pharmacy» program, including the plans and prospects for its development based on an integrated approach: technical and vocational education – higher education – postgraduate education.
The Deputy Head of the Department of Pharmacognosy with a course in Botany, V.S. An, presented the first-ever developed textbook «Pharmacognosy» for college students studying the «Pharmacy» program. The chief specialist of the School of Pharmacy, A.K. Baytaeva, discussed career guidance for graduates of medical colleges, as well as the rules for admission and studies in the bachelor’s program at the School of Pharmacy.
The participants of the roundtable discussed the educational program (EP) in the specialty «Pharmacy,» as well as the plans and prospects for its development based on an integrated approach: technical and vocational education – higher education – postgraduate education.
The professional field for pharmacists is vast, including medical and pharmaceutical enterprises, organizations regulating pharmaceutical activities, pharmaceutical supervision, testing centers, laboratories for quality control, standardization, and certification, chemical-toxicological departments (laboratories) of forensic medicine centers, toxicological centers in emergency medical hospitals, reference-information centers, information-analytical centers, organizations in education, science, social protection, and other sectors related to pharmacy.
Educational programs are updated at the beginning of each academic year according to changing employer requirements and professional standards.
KazNMU named after S.D. Asfendiyarov has already conducted several graduations of specialists with secondary pharmaceutical education (after medical college) and higher education in other specialties through the «Pharmacy» program. Such graduates are a vivid example of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goal #4 «Quality Education»: «Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.»
Representatives of medical colleges in Kazakhstan who participated in the roundtable confirmed the importance of integrating education, science, and practice in pharmacy. They expressed interest in the presented presentations and made several suggestions.
At the end of the event, the participants of the roundtable adopted a resolution, which highlighted the following points:
- Further cooperation between KazNMU named after S.D. Asfendiyarov and the medical colleges of Kazakhstan in implementing state policies on inter-sectoral coordination in medical and pharmaceutical education, the development of nursing, and the promotion of scientific and innovative activities in healthcare.
- The development of academic mobility for students who have passed competitive selection based on academic performance and wish to continue their studies (practical training at the Center for Practical Skills and laboratories of the School of Pharmacy).
- The organization of regular roundtables with representatives of medical colleges to improve, update, and coordinate the educational program in «Pharmacy» to train highly professional personnel.
- The development of a professional development course for medical college instructors on innovative teaching methods, masterclasses with practitioners to expand knowledge and practical skills in chemistry, biotechnology, and engineering disciplines, as well as the organization of summer and winter schools for students and teaching staff of the university and colleges.
- The creation of a working group from the teaching staff of the university and medical colleges to jointly write and publish educational and methodological literature (textbooks, guides, methodological developments) in Kazakh and Russian languages.
