Pharmacology students receive bursaries from Janssen South Africa
Nine students, who enrolled for the 2-year part time postgraduate diploma course in Pharmaceutical Medicine at Stellenbosch University (SU), received bursaries to the total value of R200 000 from Janssen South Africa. The bursaries were handed over during a function held on Friday, 17 February 2012.
This course was launched in 2010 by the Pharmacology Division of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at SU, together with Tiervlei Trial Centre. This is the only postgraduate training programme in South Africa or other African countries which covers the full discipline of Pharmaceutical Medicine.
The aim of the course is to accommodate the need for standardized and quality training of specialists in pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, research organisations and academia in South Africa. The four individual modules of the programme are also offered as separate short courses.
According to Prof. Rosenkranz, divisional head of Pharmacology at the FHS-SU, this course, with valuable support by industry, will help in providing Stellenbosch University international recognition as leader in pharmaceutical medicine in Southern Africa. He furthermore stated that "the discipline of Pharmaceutical Medicine deals with all aspects of non-clinical and clinical drug development, regulatory affairs, marketing of pharmaceutical products and drug safety/pharmacovigilance."
Ms Yolisa Xuza, a bursary holder and currently working as a pharmacist for the Medicine Control Council, said: "This is an incredible opportunity to improve skills and knowledge and to contribute positively to the skills pool in the country."
