They have gathered here from over 55 countries and the conference itself is being held for the first time in India. Perhaps one of the reasons over 350 foreign students are here participating in the 10-day 61 International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) World Congress is that the city has a huge pharmaceutical industry.
Learning curves And for the foreign students, learning from the programme and about the city’s pharmaceutical industry are learning curves.
“We learn a lot from interaction with students from other countries and the ongoing workshops as well. This is the second time I am attending the IPSF conference. Last year, it was held in my city, where I was part of the organising management,” said Ivan Ramos, a pharmaceutical from Portugal.
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Kaja Sajko, a participant from Slovenia, said that the job prospects increased by participating in such events.
Interactive sessions “You meet people from the industry. A few companies from my country have manufacturing plants in India, and if you can get an internship there then it will be easier to find jobs after graduation,” she hoped.
Both Ivan and Kaja pointed out that the present job scenario in foreign countries for pharmaceutical students is not what it was some years ago, as finding work is harder now.
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“I can say that about 80 out of 100 students get placed after studying now, but the situation was better before,” recalled Ivan, who has another year before he graduates.
Apart from meeting people from around the world, the IPSF programme is also an opportunity for the foreign students to get a glimpse of Hyderabad’s culture and heritage, said Convenor of the conference, T. Jayapal Reddy.
Bertfried Salem, a student from Vienna was eager to go sight-seeing as and when he would find time.
Other students also said that a one-day tour is being organised for them to see some of the historical places in the twin cities.