Saveetha College of Pharmacy and IPGA Host National Virtual Faculty Development Programme to Align Pharmaceutical Academics with NEP 2020
Pharm'Up 
Saveetha College of Pharmacy, a constituent unit of the Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, in joint collaboration with the Indian Pharmacy Graduates’ Association (IPGA) Tamil Nadu State Branch, successfully conducted an intensive five-day Virtual Faculty Development Programme (FDP) from August 24 to August 28, 2026.
Organized under the overarching theme “Future-Ready Pharmacy Education under NEP 2020: Empowering Pharmacy Faculty for Excellence in Teaching, Research, Innovation and Professional Leadership,” the initiative was designed to equip pharmacy educators with modernized pedagogical frameworks, technical proficiencies, and leadership strategies aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Core Curricular and Pedagogical Focus Areas
The virtual sessions addressed critical evolutions in higher pharmaceutical education, emphasizing the transition from conventional instructional methods to learner-centric, competency-based teaching models. Key thematic modules included:
- Digital Transformation & Pedagogy: Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), immersive digital learning platforms, and digital healthcare concepts into pharmacy coursework.
- Research Integrity & Funding: Advanced strategies for scientific publishing, competitive grant proposal drafting, bioethics, and responsible conduct in academic research.
- Institutional Excellence: Quality assurance protocols, readiness for national and global accreditation bodies, institutional governance, and academic leadership.
- Innovation Ecosystems: Fostering pharmaceutical entrepreneurship, intellectual property awareness, industry-academia cross-collaboration, and professional networking.
Eminent Resource Faculty and Organizational Leadership
The program brought together a distinguished panel of academic scholars and healthcare leaders who delivered specialized lecture modules and guided interactive discussions. The speaker roster included:
- Prof. Dr. S. Kavimani
- Dr. Mohanraj Rathinavelu
- Dr. Gayathri Hariharan
- Dr. K. Lakshmi
- Dr. V. Subhadra Devi
- Dr. Sudha Murugesan
- Dr. R. Rajeswari
- Dr. Binoy Varghese Cheriyan
- Dr. T.N.K. Suriyaprakash
The FDP was convened under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ramaiyan Velmurugan, Principal of Saveetha College of Pharmacy, SIMATS. A dedicated multidisciplinary coordinating committee managed the technical and academic proceedings, featuring Dr. Thirumalaikumaran Rathinam, Dr. Mohanraj Rathinavelu, Dr. Bhavya Ekambaram, Dr. Binoy Varghese Cheriyan, alongside fellow faculty members.
Empowering Academic Leadership Across Institutions
A total of 140 pharmacy faculty members participated in the five-day virtual workshop. The platform facilitated cross-institutional knowledge sharing, digital upskilling, and practical implementation roadmaps to help institutions navigate the interdisciplinary requirements mandated by NEP 2020, positioning pharmacy educators to meet evolving healthcare and industry demands.
About the Author
