adminMercy Bofu Cool Lifestyle Writer
University of Zimbabwe students from the Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Pharmacy are going to represent Zimbabwe in the Netherlands at the Pharmacy Conference to be held by the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation from July 29 to August 17. Fourth-year student Chenai Mateura and Tafadzwa Nyambuya (third year) will represent the country under the banner of the Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Students’ Association.
Mateura said she was very happy and honoured to represent her compatriots at such a big conference.
“Over 80 countries are members of the IPSF and I’m so happy to represent Zimbabwe. I know I’m going to benefit a lot as we are going to have many educational assemblies and I will bring back those ideas to my fellow students.
“I will be able to market Zimbabwe internationally since next year we are going to host the third African Symposium for Pharmacy Students. It is also a personal opportunity to market myself and grow as a pharmacist since it’s my final year as a student,” said Mateura.
Nyambuya said she was so excited as they are going to be delegates for Zimbabwe in the event, proper representation and recognition would go a long way in broadening her career horizons and improve pharmaceutical conditions in Zimbabwe.
“We are going to be the voice of Zimbabwean students in terms of pharmaceutical issues and it’s also a challenge as we are going to represent Zimbabwe because we are going to participate in different competitions. Culturally, there is an internal night where we are going to have cultural clothing and cultural food.
“I will have the chance to exchange ideas with other pharmacy students around the world and that’s a memorable experience to me,” said Nyambuya.
ZPSA is a student organisation that represents the professional interests of pharmacy students in Zimbabwe and across the borders.
It is an organ which is affiliated with the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation. IPSF holds annual conference each year and this year it’s the 59th conference.
It is the leading international advocacy organisation for pharmacy students and recently graduated pharmacists, promoting improved public health through provision of information, education and networking.
Mateura, who is also the public relations officer for the ZPSA, said they are going to host the African Federation Pharmaceutical Symposium next year in Victoria Falls.
This year the conference was held in Tanzania where 25 students from the University of Zimbabwe took part.
Online Reporter