THREE DAY PCI SPONSORED CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMME ON FUTURISTIC TRENDS IN TEACHING, PEDAGOGY & RESEARCH IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Organizer: SVKM’s NMIMS SPPSPTM
Date: February 14th -16th, 2019
Venue: Room 602, 6th floor, NMIMS Building, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai

Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management organized a three days PCI Sponsored Continuing Education Programme on ‘Futuristic Trends in Teaching, Pedagogy & Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences’ on February 14-16, 2019. Inaugural session of the event started with lighting of the lamp by Chief Guest, Dr. Kalpana Joshi, Director, Discovery Engine and HOD, Cell Biology at Cipla R and D, Cipla Ltd., Dr. Jayant Gandhi, Honorary Jt. Secretary, SVKM and Mentor SPPSPTM, Dr. Meena Chintamaneni, Registrar SVKM’s NMIMS, Dr. Bala Prabhakar, Dean and Convener of the event and organising Secretary Dr. Anil Pethe.

The inaugural function commenced with a welcome speech by Dr. Bala Prabhakar highlighting the inception and progress of SPPSPTM. She spoke about importance and need of CEP to train the teachers to cater the needs of new generation students. Dr. Jayant Gandhi during his speech emphasized the role of teachers in shaping the future of the students. He motivated the participants and asked them keep abreast of day to day changes in technology. Dr. Kalpana Joshi, chief guest, clearly outlined the upcoming areas in pharmaceutical industry such as 3D bioprinting, biosimilars, artificial intelligence in drug delivery, overcoming antimicrobial resistance, to name a few, where there is immense opportunity for research. The inaugural function was concluded by vote of thanks by Dr. Anil Pethe. Day one commenced with keynote address by Dr. Jayesh Bellare, ‘Institute Chair Professor’ of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, who reiterated similar thoughts on nano-bioengineering and nano-biotechnology and its many uses in health care, particularly as nanomedicines. He emphasized on the role of advanced imaging and characterization techniques as key to successful developments. Through his research work in nanobiocomposite materials like scaffolds and hollow fiber membranes, Dr. Bellare showed its application in stem cells, regenerative medicine, notably, improving kidney dialysis. He expounded on the role of nanomedicines in delivering medicines for retinal cancer and for lung disease as well as in traditional medicines like Ayurvedic bhasma, and alternative medicines like homeopathic remedies. Dr. Sanyog Jain, Associate Professor, NIPER, Mohali, through his work in cancer exemplified the potential of lipidic nanocarriers especially PEG nanocarriers to abrogate breast cancer. Through his enormous research data, he eloquently showcased the potential of research in nanomedicine to create patentable ideas which can be translated into commercial opportunities. Accentuating this fact was the inspirational talk by Mr. Amit Singh, Director, Advent Chembio Pvt Ltd., who through his simple words showed the exhilarating journey of an entrepreneur. Mr. Amit Singh emphasized that risk taking and expertise in the domain knowledge is the key attributes of entrepreneur. Finally, the day 1 was concluded with an interesting talk on Gastroplus by Prof. Evans Coutinho, Head and Professor, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Bombay College of Pharmacy, Kalina, who provided much needed insight about the application of this software in achieving IVIVC.

Day 2 commenced with a talk by Prof. Manisha Phadke, Director, School of Design, SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai, who very aptly illustrated the role of an observer in conceiving new ideas which are affordable and practical for end consumers. Providing a different perspective of role of a teacher was an invigorating talk by Dr. Meena Chintamaneni, Registrar, SVKM’S NMIMS, Mumbai. She highlighted the multifaceted role of teacher in curriculum development, innovations in teaching pedagogy and integrating and bridging the gap between industry and academia. Her talk underlined the importance of quality management, quality sustenance, quality enhancement and quality enrichment to ensure good ranking, accreditation and approval. Dr. Chintamaneni aptly showcased the strengths of our organization to nurture research, which was practically demonstrated through our school visit. Day 2, concluded, with 3-D workshop, conducted by Mr. Dhirendra Mishra, Assistant Professor, MPSTME, SVKM’s NMIMS, who inspired all the participants to conjure new technology driven research ideas. The day 3 commenced with the very active interactive session which was instrumental in realizing the potential of our fellow faculty participants. This fun-filled banter was cherished by all the participants. In the morning session, we had Dr. A.B. Pandit, UGC Scientist C, Chemical Engineering Department, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, which proved to be an edifying process in widely known cavitation process in enzyme recovery and cost effective approach to generate researchable as well commercial product. Next lecture by Dr. N.K. Subhedar, Visiting Faculty, Biology, IISER, Pune, was one of the inspiration lectures on grant writing. The efforts taken by Dr. Subedhar to simplify the intricacies of grant writing with interesting anecdotes were worth listening inculcating our research outlook. Finally, the talk by Dr. Madhavi Gokhale, Area Chair, Communications and In-charge, Soft Skills Program, SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai, helped disseminate the importance of written communication skills to address our current generations and to make an impression on the young minds has made a positive impact on each one of us. The event concluded with panel discussion comprising of panellists; Dr. Bala Prabhakar, Dean, SPPSPTM, SVKM’s NMIMS, Dr. Shailaja Rego, Associate Professor in Operations & Decision Science Area, SVKM’s NMIMS and Dr. Prashant Kharkar, Professor, SPPSPTM, SVKM’S NMIMS. They deliberated on role of artificial intelligence in teaching and research as well as continuing education. This interactive session witnessed flurry of questions from audience on Virtual teaching and its future implications on teaching profession. At the end of the day, the valedictory ceremony was held in which, Dr. Bala Prabhakar, Dean, SPPSPTM and Convener shared the concluding remarks. She expressed her views that, through this event, the participants got an opportunity for networking and confluence of new ideas, which could be adopted to improve teaching pedagogy and research. This platform, also gave a favourable contribution to the understanding of research consultancies, ranking approvals etc. This was followed by feedback session from the participants wherein they appreciated the entire event and expressed that event was interesting and thought-provoking. They shared that both the key note session and all the other interactive sessions provided good opportunities for learnings and insights about developments in the professional arena. The certificates to all the participants were distributed in this valedictory ceremony followed by Vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Anil Pethe, Organising Secretary, of the event. In his speech, he thanked Dr. B. Suresh, President Pharmacy Council of India, for his wonderful initiative and financial support, the SVKM’S NMIMS University, School, speakers, participants, organising committee members and volunteers for their valuable contribution.

Glimpses of the CEP:

Inaugural Ceremony