Students in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta are being given the opportunity to obtain hands-on industry experience.

“As time goes on, I expect scientific-based industry posts to represent the major area of employment for pharmacy graduates,” said University Rector Juanito Camilleri, signing the two-year agreement with Frederick Schembri, the managing director of Aurobindo Ltd.

Aurobindo is an Indian pharmaceutical company that undertakes quality testing and releases medicinal products to the European market. It has been operating in Malta since 2008, and currently employs 60 people.

The agreement with the university, among other advantages, formalises a system of internships Aurobindo offers to students, who follow an eight-week placement every year of their course.

Through the internships, students gain direct experience in the quality control of medications for chemical and microbiological testing, and quality assurance processes for handling medications.

“Our aim is not only to prepare graduates for the work of today, but to prepare work for the graduates of tomorrow,” said Prof. Camilleri.

Prof. Lillian Azzopardi, pharmacy department head, explained that the agreement would support its teaching and research, particularly on aspects of pharmaceutical technology.

Mr Schembri said pharmaceutical technology graduates were taking positions in the pharmaceutical industry, in medicine distribution, medical representation and regulatory affairs. “Aurobindo is developing its plant technical facilities and it is expected that this will open up a large number of opportunities for pharmaceutical technology graduates,” he said.