The Higher Education Review

As explicated by Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Indian government with its 'Pharma Vision 2020' is aiming to make India a global leader in end-to-end drug manufacturing. Providing equal support to this initiative, the country's biotechnology industry that comprises bio-pharmaceuticals, bio-services, bio-agriculture, bio-industry and bioinformatics is also raising its bar and is expected to grow at an average growth rate of around 30 percent per year to reach US $100 billion by 2025. Amidst all the developments happening in this part of the industry, Indian pharmaceutical education sector is playing a major role in ensuring that the industry is well equipped with indigenously skilled pharmacists for exhilarating progress. Since pharmacists are directly involved in the preparation of medications, it is essential that they study in reputed institutes like Konkan Gyanpeeth Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy and Research Institute (KGRDCP & RI) as over the years, this institute is producing competent pharmacy professionals by providing good governance, and best teaching & learning practices to students.

An Amazing Infrastructure and Quality Faculty Panel
KGRDCP & RI was established in 2006 under the aegis of Konkan Gyanpeeth Trust (established 28 years back by Late Hon. Prabhakar Narayan Dharkar) with an aim to contribute to the healthcare sector by nurturing capable pharmacy professionals for industry and academic research. KGRDCP & RI is affiliated to University of Mumbai and offers an undergraduate course in pharmacy (B.Pharm: 100 seats) and Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, Mumbai affiliated diploma course in pharmacy (60 seats). It presents students with a plethora of options for building

skills; from sophisticated instruments in high standard laboratories, uninterrupted internet facility to language laboratory and digital library, KGRDCP & RI is an optimum place for learning for aspiring pharmacists. Following the norms set by the trust, KGRDCP & RI, under the guidance and encouragement provided by Principal Dr. Mohan Kale with his 35 years of teaching, research, social and administrative experience, has produced more than 600 students in its 12 years of existence. Result and placement is extremely good with some students in university of Mumbai merit list.

"College has signed MoU with several industries, hospitals, and pathology laboratories where students can go for honing their practical skills and become industrial experts"

Alike its alluring infrastructural facilities, KGRDCP & RI has an eminent group of faculties including six doctorates, and 19 postgraduates out of which seven of them are pursuing Ph.D. "Their faculty members have received research grants from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), University Grants Commission (UGC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Science and Engineering Research Board and also few patents to their credit," says Dr. Mohan Kale, Principal, KGRDCP & RI. Furthermore, the college has signed MoU with several industries, hospitals, and pathology laboratories where students can go for honing their practical skills and become industrial experts.

Apart from imparting regular pharmacy courses, the institute provides short courses on topics like Frontline Health Worker, Diabetes Educator, Pharmacy Assistance under the 'Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana' that was launched by Sri Narendra Modi government and is continued by KGRDCP & RI successfully. Through this training program, KGRDCP & RI enhances skill development for the deprived students of the country. "This is a skill certification program that

enables a large section of Indian youth to earn their livelihood," explains Dr. Mohan. He adds, "We also motivate the students to work on different research projects and publish them in good scientific international and national journals."

Engaging Co-Scholastic Activities
Promoting events like intercollegiate festivals IPA Rx Festival, UoM DLLE (youth festival), and KG Sanjeevani Continuous Learning Process, KGRDCP & RI has passionately created an atmosphere for the holistic development of the students. With its compassionate intention to bring transformational changes in rural India, KGRDCP & RI is selected under the Prime Minister's 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan' which is governed by the ministry of MHRD Govt. of India. Through this program, the institute has adopted five villages from Karjat and served them with various social activities like Madhavbaug's cardiac free health check-up camp, Apollo hospital and Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College and Hospital free checkup camp. Dr. Mohan states, "Recently, they conducted 'Faculty Development Programme' (AICTE sponsored) on 'Challenges, opportunities, and recent advances in cancer therapeutics and its molecular targets' for two weeks where distinguished speakers shared the ongoing developments in this field. They also conducted the first meeting of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) Raigad branch and CDARD (Chemists and Distributors Association of Raigad District) for student's development."

Lately, KGRDCP & RI has applied for NAAC with future plans for NBA and incorporate M.Pharm and Ph.D. courses. "There are plans to set up pilot pharma plant, water testing lab, analytical lab, food and chemical testing laboratories to uplift the institute to higher levels. KGRDCP & RI is a student-centric institute and always focuses on making students ready to become proficient pharmacy professionals for the nation," concludes Dr. Mohan.