AfRO Newsletter

AfRO Newsletter

Editorial

ello AfRO

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the new AfRO year and the
new African Regional Working
Group.

Contact us:
www.afro.ipsf.org

We are excited to begin our mandates and have many initiatives we

wish to complete and with your
help, take AfRO to great heights

www.facebook.com/IPSFAfRO

Please enjoy our first newsletter

and watch this space for more to
come :)

rmpo@ipsf.org

www.twitter.com/IPSFAfRO

Nigel
RMPO

AfRO Newsletter

Contents

Editorial ..2
Contents..3
Chairperson..4
Regional Relations Officer.....6
Regional Projects Officer....7
Secretary.8
4th IPSF AfPS Chairperson..9
Regional Media & Publications Officer.......10
Upcoming Events....11
61st World Congress....12
4th IPSF AfPS..13

International
Pharmaceutical
Students'
Federation

PO Box 84200
2508 AE Den Haag
The Netherlands.
Tel.: +31 70 302 1992
Fax: +31 70 302 1999

AfRO Newsletter

Chairperson

Prosper Maposa

ear IPSFers all over the World,

In a dynamic World where change is the only constant the science and practice of pharmacy is
changing with it. It is our mandate to shape an innovative future for the next generation of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. If the next
generation is to look at the past for lessons and
inspiration our duty is to be the architects of the
future. Let us be the change that we want to see
and make the World a better place than the state
that we found it in. The best way to do it (for me
at leastJ) is to enjoy the World whilst improving it.

If the next generation is to look at the past for lessons and inspiration our duty is to be the architects of the future
Hello IPSFers around the world allow me to introduce myself. My name is Prosper Maposa, the Vice
President of the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) (2014 - 15) and the Chairperson of the IPSF African Regional Office (AfRO) (2013
15) from the sunshine city of Harare, Zimbabwe. Professionally, I am a Research Fellow in nanomedicine
at the University of Zimbabwe School of Pharmacy
and also the Pharmacy Projects Coordinator for a
start-up international pharmaceutical company operating in Zimbabwe. I look forward to meeting as many
IPSFers as I can during the 2014 -15 mandate.

AfRO Newsletter

As the Chairperson of the African Regional Office I am

honoured to be working with a skilful and motivated
Regional Working Group (RWG) and a focused and
efficient Executive Committee (ExCO). Leadership is
not theoretical, we learn how to lead by being leaders in practice. During the mandate we plan to collaborate with all the other regions of IPSF, try out new
approaches to reach out to member organizations
and keep on approaching potential member countries so that we can be a part of the growth and development of IPSF. Realistically speaking we expect to
meet challenges but no matter how difficult the circumstances we will be ready to pick ourselves up,
dust ourselves off and learn from the situations as we
move on.
4

Chairperson cont...
The African Regional Office currently has 10 member countries
in IPSF. I would like to welcome
with joy Ivory Coast a new member country that joined IPSF during the 60th General Assembly in
Portugal hopefully we can expand more into the French
speaking West African countries
region. We will continue with
our membership promotion
efforts during the year both in

the West and the South and also

look forward to more full membership applications from the
Members in Association. Parallel
to the membership promotion
drive the African regional office
will also lean toward improving
the quality and reporting structure of the activities, campaigns
and workshops run by member
countries.

The African Regional Office currently has 10 member countries in IPSF

It was memorable and breath taking

meeting IPSFers at the 3rd IPSF African
Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS) in
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and at the 60th
IPSF World Congress in Portugal. Next
year July and August we meet again in
Rwanda for the 4th IPSF AfPS and in India for the 61st IPSF World Congress respectively. As the global economy tightens and more graduates are being produced, the competition for jobs and opportunities further intensifies. Even at a
global level downsizing, outsourcing
and a need for pharmacists to show
their worth to the bottom line means
career competition is escalating. Imagine an exposure that might mean the
difference between a mediocre and an

AfRO Newsletter

exceptional breakthrough. Getting together at events is only the beginning,

getting to know one another is progress
and from these fundamental steps we
can then be able to work together and
our success as a federation will be guaranteed.
See you at the next IPSF Event.
Yours in IPSF,
Prosper Maposa
ChP of the IPSF African Regional
Office (2013 15)
IPSF Vice President (2014 - 15)
chairperson@afro.ipsf.org
vice.presiedent@ipsf.org

or

Regional Relations Officer

m a 4th year Pharmacy Student at the

University of Rwanda. Passionate about
research, aspire to be an advocate for
patient-centered care and committed to
providing an optimized quality of care.
I spend my time reading, writing and storytelling as an active blogger and social
media enthusiast. Also interested about
youth empowerment and engage with
fellow youth on different platforms in the
country to discuss on different matters
concerning us.

Israel Bimpe
Im from Rwanda, the heart of Africa, the green undulating landscape of hills, gardens and tea plantations.
home to one third of the world remaining Mountain
Gorillas, one third of Africa's bird species, several species of primates, Volcanoes, Congo - Nile Trail, resorts
and islands on the expansive Lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and friendly people.
Since 2011, when I joined Pharmacy school at the University of Rwanda, I have been keen to explore Pharmacy. Trough RPSA, I came across IPSF, and IPSF defined Pharmacy in many more ways than I could have
thought of and gave me a hope to realize everything I
could have dreamed of. This led to me working as Regional Relations Officer of the IPSF African Regional
Office for the 2015-2014 mandate.
When I started serving as Student Exchange Officer for
Rwanda, I got exposed to what RPSA Team is and their
work, with an amazing Student Exchange Committee
and Chairperson of Student Exchange, I discovered
how cool and brain stimulating it can be to be part of
IPSF. I then decided to travel to Zimbabwe for the 3rd
African Pharmaceutical Symposium which ended up
being one the best experience I ever got since I joined

AfRO Newsletter

Pharmacy school. With a goal and zeal to be part of

the IPSF winning team, I vied for my post and eventually won.
Im looking forward to become a better me empowered by all activities and opportunities IPSF expose
you to. For these few months I have been serving, I
realized that my communication and leadership skills
improved gradually, as I have to offer guidance and
solutions on different issues. When I have to give inputs and comments in meetings. I got to know more
about professional development, Public health and
pharmacy education activities. Im getting be informed on global issues and engage myself on array of
global problem and most importantly, the process of
problem solving. Im just growing in all facets of the
profession.
I hope to discover trough IPSF different places and cultures, make many more friends from all corners of the
world.
I truly relate to the fact which is that one never gets
out of IPSF, there is no post IPSF-life, once an IPSFer,
always an IPSFer, there is an entrance into IPSF but
not an exit.
6

Regional Projects Officer

C
Amina Ndope

reating Infinite Ripples.

My journey with the Federation started just like any others. First, some over-enthusiastic individual tells you
about this entity theyve experienced called IPSF that has
so many exciting faucets, people and opportunities. Their
over-enthusiasm generates a tiny spark of interest which
compels you to go online and find out exactly what the
whole fuss is about.

This year, our focus project as the African Regional Office is Pharmacy Professional Awareness Campaign.
Then you end up spending hours and hours mesmerized by the discovery of thousands of pharmacy students throughout the world just like you, doing mind
blowing things while they develop in the profession
and thus, the obsession begins. Well at least this was
how my journey began back in 2012.
I am Amina Ndope, the Regional Projects Officer of the
AfRO regional office and about to graduate after a five
year training in a Bachelors degree of pharmacy. After
being introduced to the world of IPSF, I was itching to
get involved and therefore started out as a local contact person, went on to become the contact person of
the national association, NUPSA (Nairobi University
Pharmacy Students Association), which later evolved
to KEPhSA (Kenya Pharmacy Students Association) due
to the expansion of pharmacy professional training in
the country. I later

AfRO Newsletter

served in the editorial committee, before vying for the

position of Regional Projects Officer. Throughout my
involvement in different settings,
I have been fortunate to learn immensely about servitude, people, leadership and self; Lessons I hope to
carry throughout the rest of my journey with you during my tenure.
I have always been fascinated by the possibility of linking people of different cultures and personalities with
the same goals and aspirations and IPSF offers exactly
that. As a pharmacist in training, you can begin to
make a difference in peoples lives right at this moment. Aim to have a hands on approach to the practice
by participating or organizing various projects including
public health campaigns, workshops and events focused on professional development.

More So, reporting the incredible

things that you manage to achieve in
your local association provides a window for the world on what goes on in
your setting and can inspire someone
reading it to implement the same in
their locality.

your calendar of activities. A thing as

simple as printing out a brochure on
the roles of a pharmacist qualifies!

As professionals of the the new age

Africa, we have the capability to make
changes beyond what has previously
been achieved, and have been offered
This year, our focus project as the Afri- the platform to do so. A Professor Dexcan Regional Office is Pharmacy Proter Tagwire, during the 3rd AfPS said
fessional Awareness Campaign. This
that Pharmacists are by nature and
particular project aims at informing the training brilliant, and all seem to pospublic about the crucial role the phar- sess the I cubed factor, a quality that
macist has in healthcare and address- defines us as inventors, innovators and
ing misconceptions that may exist re- initiators of things. Communities are
garding the pharmacy profession,
core in our existence. To act on these
therefore building a better rapport
qualities of innovation, invention and
with them. Although a campaign kit
initiation can make an impact in our
will be coming up soon, dont hesitate communities which will create infinite
to integrate this awareness campaign ripples.
in the other campaigns that you do in

Secretary
My name is Liniah Mumbengegwi and
I am a graduate of the Rhodes University Faculty of Pharmacy in South Africa. It is a great honour and previlage
to be a part of this years African Regional Working Group ()ARWG) as the
Secretary for a second term,.

As Secretary, my responsibilities
include ensuring that the regional
office runs smoothly and to maintain
Contact with all stakeholders. It is my
hope that we continue to grow as
leaders of tomorrow and as a federation.

After becoming involved with the

South African Pharmacy Students Federation (SAPSF), I realized that there is
so much more I could do for Pharmacy
in Africa as a whole. This calling found
answer by my joining IPSF on the subcommittee of Medicine Awareness
and on the committee the ARWG.

It was once said, Coming

together is a beginning; keeping
together is progress; working
together is success.

AfRO Newsletter

Liniah Mumbengegwi

Here is to another successful year!

4th IPSF AfRO Symposium

Chairperson

am UWASE Marie Ange, 4th year pharmacy

student at University of Rwanda-Huye campus,
College of Medicine and Health Sciences,
School of Medicine and Department of
Pharmacy.

Uwase Marie Ange

I believe that Pharmacists are experts of medicines and my role as future pharmacist is to
ensure the quality, availability, accessibility and
rational use of pharmaceutical products. But I
cannot stop asking to myself those questions: If
we are really studying 5 years or 6 years to become experts of medicines, why Polypharmacy
practices are still happening in our countries?
Why the majority of medication errors are still
occurring at prescription and dispensing levels?
Why patients are dying of irrational use of
medicines? Are we real pharmacists or
called pharmacists?

AfRO Newsletter

Pharmacists, let us stand firmly in our positions

and fight for our good professional image. Let
us improve public confidence by ensuring the
safe use of medicines. Let us document as
much as we can to provide good health care
services to our population (patients).Let us join
our efforts, work as one team and we shall fulfill our responsibilities.
A live pharmacist saves lives of many people.

Regional Media and

Publications Officer

D
Nigel Sibanda

I am a recent graduate of the Rhodes University

Faculty of Pharmacy in Grahamstown, South
Africa. Besides pharmacy, I have a great passion
for emerging technologies in social media and the
related fields. In todays fast moving world,
these technologies have become key in our
communication and there is no excuse for our
profession not to link its progress with the rest of
the technological world.

ear IPSFers

My name is Nigel Sibanda, the new Regional Media and Publications Officer.
I am delighted to be part of this team of
movers, shakers, innovators and initiators
you know as the African Regional Working
Group (ARWG).

This allowed me to fulfil my zeal to explore the

world of media within pharmacy .Later on, my
office on the Presidential Committee of the South
African Pharmacy Students Federation (SAPSF) as
the Media and Communications officer moved
me closer to this passion.

I plan to continue to strive to put pharmacy on

the map and to provide the world with
information to reverse stereotypes that see
From my early years in varsity, I have always been pharmacist as just pill pushers behind the
eager to get involved in our profession at a level counter. To teach that we research, manufacture,
deeper than academic participation. I joined the diagnose, prescribe, and are still the custodians of
Rhodes University Pharmacy Students Association medicine.
as the Media and Entertainment Representative.

AfRO Newsletter

10

Upcoming events
WORLD CONGRESS
The World Congress is the momentous activity of
the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation. It is the biggest annual gathering of pharmacy
students across the world at one place. It is a 10
day event held in a different country every year,
where, Presidents of International Pharmaceutical
Students Associations, pharmacy students and professionals from nearly 85 countries participate. It
serves as a platform to discuss issues related to the
field of pharmacy globally, which can help in attaining unification of the pharmacy education across
the globe.
It is a one-stop Conference for:
Establishing a permanent form of
contact with representative
organizations of pharmaceutical students as well as cooperating with each member organization on
exclusively scientific, educational and cultural
planes, the Federation being non-political A
GLOBAL CONTACT-POINT EVENT!

Exchange of cultures and history. Celebrating

pharmacy like never before! AN ENRICHING
EXPERIENCE!
Registration Opening Date: 4th January
Register Online at:
https://ipsf2015.org/main/regprocess.html
AFRICAN PHARMACEUTICAL SYMPOSIUM
The IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS)
is an international event held annually for pharmacy students, recent graduates and pharmacy professionals especially in the African region.
The program includes a symposia on topics of pharmaceutical interest and of scientific and educational nature, meetings and workshops, a pre-AfPS
training program and several social events.
The 4th African Pharmaceutical Symposium to be
held in Rwanda in July 2015 will see more than 300
delegates from over 10 African countries and others from all over the world travel to Rwanda.

Promoting exchange of ideas, challenges and issues faced by students globally, representing
the opinions of pharmaceutical students in disRegistration Opening Date: 1st February
cussions with professional, governmental and
non-governmental organizations and encouragRegister Online at:
ing full dissemination of scientific and professional knowledge - AN ALL-INCLUSIVE CONFLU- http://www.afps2015.org/
ENCE OF PHARMACY AND KNOWLEDGE.

AfRO Newsletter

11

61st IPSF World Congress

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12

4th IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium

AfRO Newsletter

13

PO Box 84200
2508 AE Den Haag
The Netherlands.
Tel.: +31 70 302 1992

International
Pharmaceutical
Students'
Federation

Fax: +31 70 302 1999

AfRO Newsletter

14