The year 2008 has seen further important developments. Additional academic staff and a Chief Technician have been recruited, the new Pharmacy designated building occupied and opened by H.E. the State President, the building fully furbished and equipment commissioned. A third cohort of students was registered.

Student Issues

Recruitment remained healthy with 8 year 3, 18 year 2 and 19 first year students registered. All students in years 1 and 3 passed with a high level of distinctions and credits. 5 students sat supplementaries from year 2, in 3 subjects, 3 passed and 2 have a referred year. Attendance was good, relationship with staff good and interactive. A personal tutor system has begun.

COMPSA (College of Medicine Pharmacy Students Association) ran successful meetings through the year including a Welcome event for Freshers, an address on the nature of Pharmacy, and a reception for visitors from Slovenia under the International Pharmacy Students Fellowship (IPSF) exchange scheme. Two Slovenian students participated in academic, practice and social events over a period of two weeks. Ten students visited Taiwan through the support of IPSF, Pharmaceutical donors, and Professor David Cheng, former Head of the Pharmacy Department, to attend the IPSF congress.

Staff Establishment

Two academic and one member of technical staff were appointed during the year. Dr Fraction Dzinjalamala returned to the Department in September having received a M.Sc with Credit in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow, UK. Mr Owen Mbotwa joined the Department as Chief Technician from the Chemistry Department of Chancellor College, by transfer. Miss C. Kadawati (Assistant Lecturer) completed her internship and is now on the Malawian Pharmaceutical Register.