WORLD PHARMACISTS’ DAY 2021-Interuniversity competition

WORLD PHARMACISTS’ DAY 2021-Interuniversity competition

WORLD PHARMACISTS’ DAY 2021-Interuniversity competition

 Introduction

 On September 25th, 2021, the Nairobi University Students Association (NUPSA) took part in the World Pharmacists Day- an interuniversity competition event that was held at Mount Kenya University from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There were six chapters in total that were present; NUPSA, KEMUPSA, KUPSA, JPSA, MKUPSA, and KUPhSA. The theme was 'Together through tough times’.

 

U.O.N students in the event.

 In order to ensure all levels were represented each class was allocated 10 slots. NUPSA was thus represented by 40 students all participating in various competitions. It was important to ensure all classes were represented to build unity among senior and junior years and in so doing achieve our goal of ensuring all students have mentors.

 

Pharma competitions.

 The competitions were divided into three rounds: round 1, 2 and 3. Round one was further subdivided into 4 sections; clinical competition (10 participants), compounding competition (5 participants), pharmacy quiz (5 participants), and strategy management (5 participants). Round 2 had two competitions: patient counseling and pharma challenge games and there were 2 participants in that section. Round 3 was the spirit award competition and for that, there were also 4 participants. Finally, there was a pre-section and that was the digital competition which occurred a week before the WPD.

 

 Trophies won.

 Now, this was the best part of the day. During the award ceremony, it was evident that our members had done us proud. We took first place for patient counseling and pharma challenge games competition and for the pharma quiz competition.

 

 Impact of the event on the life of a pharmacy student.

With all the excitement and joy this event had, there was a positive impact on the academic and social life of our members. The fact is that as a student pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, it is so easy to find yourself engrossed in books for the majority of your time. Thus events such as WPD-interuniversity competition allow you to unwind and renew your energy before returning to your day to day schedule. The event also provided an opportunity for our members to interact with other pharmacy students. The judges also played an integral role during the event, especially in the patient counseling section where they demonstrated how to obtain a patient’s blood pressure. During the spirit award competition (song, poem, spoken word, or skit part), we got to see students showcasing their talents. NUPSA was represented in this category by third year students who performed a song and spoken word. Having done all these, part one competitions gave students a chance to combine brainpower and team work to solve pharmacy questions and case studies. It was very engaging.

The event was a success! Our members got an opportunity to exchange ideas with their future colleagues. It was indeed fun to watch them play games, joke around and laugh as they shared experiences that they had acquired while trying to navigate their academic journey. In short, all ended well and until another similar event NUPSA keeps on thriving.