Report on the Second Student Pharmacist Conference

Driven by the core values of Al-Ahliyya Amman University comprised of integrity, in furtherance of the principle of belonging, citizenship and creativity, and in efforts to promote the principle of social responsibility, achieve cooperation, provide society with high-quality outputs adapted to the labor market, promote partnership with the local community and develop the scientific and administrative capacities of students and hone their creativity, Al-Ahliyya Amman University hosted the Second Student Pharmacist Conference for the Faculties of Pharmacy in Jordanian universities, Pharmacist and Pharmacist Doctor major. The Conference, entitled “Defining the Profession and Creating the Future” was held on Saturday, 07/07/2012 in cooperation with the Jordan Pharmacists Association, under the patronage of HE Prof. Dr. Sadeq Hamed, President of the University, and HE Dr. Mohammed Ababneh, Chairman of Jordan Pharmacists Association. This Conference, which was attended by eight Jordanian universities, included four sessions. The first session dealt with academic and professional options available for graduates, and discussed working papers that identified the reality of the pharmaceutical industry in the Kingdom by Dr. Ayad Rumman, the work of medical delegates by Dr. Hamza Duqour, and academic options for graduates by Dr. Firas Alali. The second session addressed the scientific theme, including stem cells through the paper prepared by Dr. Adib Al-Zubi, in addition to the reality of scientific research in Jordanian universities. A number of specialists talked in the sessions through panel discussions. Dr. Iyad Quneibi presented his personal experience in registering a patent. A paper on monitoring the side effects of drugs by Dr. Rania Haddadin was presented, along with a paper about contraception and fertilization by Dr. Zuhair Ammareen. The third session addressed voluntary work through a paper the examined the progress of volunteer, student, and pharmacist work in the Kingdom by Basil Qanas and Abdul Karim Daoud, and the impact of volunteer work on the community by Dr. Ibrahim Mansi. The fourth session addressed the theme of the Pharmacist Association. At the conclusion of the Conference, six working papers were discussed through the Small Businesses Competition. On the sidelines of the conference, a pharmacist exhibition was held in which a group of pharmaceutical companies and students of pharmacy faculties participated. Dr. Mohammed Ababneh, Chairman of Jordan Pharmacists Association delivered a speech at the opening of the conference in which he affirmed that the Pharmacists Association efforts are always focused on joint cooperation with government and private Jordanian universities and with all Jordanian pharmaceutical companies and factories. He noted that these efforts reflect the interaction and cooperation among all community institutions. He added that the Jordanian universities, which produce large number of male and female colleagues annually, have dozens of modern laboratories that include the latest achievements of modern science. Dr. Ababneh pointed out that this conference held in Al-Ahliyya Amman University clearly indicates that our universities have become the center of advanced civilization in Jordan development process. He stressed that the Association is keen on holding conferences and scientific days on a regular basis, based on its sense of responsibility towards the community and pharmacists. He stated that the Association seeks for pharmacists to have a greater role in serving the country and the nation, achieve pharmaceutical sufficiency, and provide optimal health care for citizens. He stressed that to achieve this, it is essential to provide optimal working conditions for pharmacists and overcome the difficulties they are facing. In terms of pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Ababneh said that pharmacists made great achievements in the pharmaceutical industry, which reached remarkable levels towards achieving pharmaceutical security. The Association has made great efforts in the pharmaceutical industry and other sectors in order to enhance the pharmaceutical industry in the Kingdom, he added. Dr. Ababneh asserted the role of universities in supplying the drug and pharmaceutical sector with cadres that contribute to upgrading the pharmaceutical profession and industry, which have turned into an advanced hub for excellence and leadership. For his part, Prof. Dr. Sadeq Hamed, President of Al-Ahliyya Amman University, delivered a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony, in which he stated: “Today we meet here as professionals, academics, students and professors to stress the need for integration to improve an instrumental profession in all societies and that affects all segments of society, which accords it extraordinary importance”. “The Association is highly concerned with integration with academic institutions, universities, and industrial enterprises”, he added. Dr. Hamed said that the Pharmacists Association evident keenness to meet, work together and integrate with academic institutions is a forward-looking vision, reflects great wisdom and an advanced sense of responsibility. The Conference was attended by the Chairman and members of the Pharmacists Association, Deans of faculties of pharmacy in Jordanian universities, a group of faculty members at the University and of the Pharmacist Field Training Committee of the Faculty of Pharmacy, represented by its president, Dr. Samir Qammaz, and a group of supervisor pharmacists at the Faculty laboratories. The conference was attended by nearly 1500 students from various faculties of pharmacy in the universities. The conference was supervised, in addition to the Pharmacists Association, by the Youth Committee at the Pharmacists Association, which is made up of a group of students of the faculties of pharmacy from various universities. At the end of the ceremony, prizes were handed over to the winners. The Association delivered the Association shield to Prof. Dr. Sadeq Hamed, President of the University, and to Dr. Ghaleb Ereqat, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at the University.