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The Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) 2025 is set to take place from December 19 to 21, 2025, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). Hosted by the Association of Pharmacy Teachers of India (APTI), this year's event will focus on strengthening pharmacy education and enhancing the capabilities of young faculty in postgraduate training.
A unique highlight of this three-day event is the registration of postgraduate pharmacy students, with APTI aiming to groom M Pharm graduates into future educators. A postgraduate degree in pharmacy opens up diverse career opportunities in clinical research, R&D, Pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, and other high-demand fields.
As the 74th edition of IPC, the event is expected to attract over 12,000 delegates, including academicians, researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers. The discussions will cover emerging technologies, AI in pharma, advancements in pharmacy education, innovative teaching methodologies, and strategies to empower the next generation of pharmacy educators—ultimately working toward making Indian pharmacists “Pharmacists of the World”, stated Prof. Milind Umekar, president, APTI.
India has 7,000 pharmacy colleges with 90,000 to 1,00,000 faculty members. However, the rapid increase in the number of colleges has raised serious concerns about education quality, curriculum relevance, competency, and employability. The lack of skills and practical exposure among students has led to low employment rates despite the growing demand for pharmaceutical professionals, he said.
There is a need for a globally competent syllabus, including skill-based courses and mandatory internships to enhance students' employability, emphasised Prof. Umekar adding that the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is working on a new curriculum, expected to introduce industry-relevant skill sets.
Besides, another pressing need is to recruit faculty members with both academic excellence and practical industry experience. Pharmacy education requires personalized mentorship and a focus on emerging research trends, Prof. Umekar told Pharmabiz.
With the increasing number of colleges, maintaining rigorous academic standards is a challenge. Many newly established institutions lack infrastructure, qualified faculty, and standardized teaching methodologies, affecting the overall quality of education. Some colleges prioritize enrollment numbers over academic excellence, leading to outdated curricula, inadequate assessments, and subpar teaching quality.
Dr Raman Dang, secretary, APTI, noted that IPC 2025 aims for significant international delegate participation to foster global collaboration and industry-academia partnerships. Speaker sessions will focus on education prospects, research, emerging technologies, AI in pharma, innovation, and start-ups.
Special attention will be given to curriculum improvement, semester systems, and bridging the gap between academia and industry. Many pharmacy colleges focus primarily on theoretical knowledge, neglecting practical skills, research capabilities, and innovation, reducing graduates' job market relevance, Dr. Dang highlighted.
To address these challenges, policymakers and regulatory bodies must enforce stringent quality standards, promote skill-based education, and align curricula with industry needs, he added. Without industry-relevant skills and practical exposure, pharmacy graduates may face higher unemployment rates despite holding degrees. IPC 2025 aims to address this gap by emphasizing postgraduate faculty training and skill development.
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