International knowledge and experience will give the graduates of a ground-breaking new pharmacy master's degree the chance to take their skills to the world.
In an Australian first, a new Master of Pharmacy (International) at the University of Technology Sydney will include a one-year international clinical placement.
Being offered by the UTS Graduate School of Health (GSH) from next year, the Master of Pharmacy (International) will expose students to national and international advanced practices in pharmacy and a global health care perspective.
The integrated one-year international clinical placement will provide an increased awareness of health systems and the cultural and socioeconomic factors that influence pharmacy practice and health care provision.
Head of the Graduate School of Health, Professor Charlie Benrimoj, said that understanding of the needs of national and international employers will make graduates highly competitive in the employment market. The program is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council, allowing graduates to be eligible to become registered Pharmacists in Australia.
UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International and Advancement), Professor William Purcell said, "The new degree is an innovative response to demand from students for immersive international placement experiences. The program provides an exciting opportunity for ambitious high-achieving students to gain a competitive edge in the Australian and global markets."
Professor Benrimoj said GSH academics have extensive teaching and research networks overseas providing UTS students with the opportunity to study and practice alongside expert researchers in Asia, Canada, Europe, South America and the USA.
"The international clinical placement will provide students with practice-based experience alongside international experts in community, hospital and research settings," Professor Benrimoj said. "Students will have the advantage of developing international contacts that will be invaluable when building their careers in pharmacy."
Miguel Gastellurtia, a pharmacist located in Spain, is looking forward to taking on UTS students for their placement. "We want to give students from UTS an opportunity to experience pharmacy in an international context. They will learn about the international factors influencing the profession and take back to Australia some new concepts they can implement into their local workplace."
UTS will offer Master of Pharmacy (International) students the opportunity to learn a language and engage in the Beyond UTS International Leadership Development Program (BUiLD). This program provides students with local and international opportunities to develop new skills, foster potential leadership qualities and broaden their horizons.
The course is part of the UTS strategic plan to provide practice-based education and produce graduates who have international experience that will enhance their career opportunities, employability and global competitiveness.
Hayley, a Bachelor of Medical Science undergraduate at UTS is excited about the prospect of studying an international degree. "Becoming a pharmacist is competitive, but the Master of Pharmacy (International) will give me that edge and make me stand out from other graduates."
Professor Benrimoj said graduates would enrich the Australian health care system by integrating global perspectives gained from their international experience into their daily practice. "The Master of Pharmacy (International) is the first of its kind for pharmacy in Australia and is intended to produce a new kind of pharmacy graduate," he said.
- In an Australian first, a new UTS Master of Pharmacy (International) will include a one-year international clinical placement
- Being offered by the UTS Graduate School of Health from next year, the program provides an exciting opportunity for students to gain a competitive edge in the Australian and global markets