Qatar University College of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) students have won regional and international awards in recent events, it was announced on Sunday.
Shahd Elamin and Waad Elamin won first place for their position paper ‘Online Learning during Covid-19: Challenges and Resolutions’ in a contest conducted by the Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (QPhUS) in collaboration with the Lebanese Pharmacy Student Association (LPSA).
The contest entitled “The Policy Ambassador Competition” was for pharmacy students in the Middle East and aimed at building member’s delegation skills, and knowledge on policy and position papers.
In light of the current pandemic, the topic chosen was “Challenges of Online Learning during Covid-19” to reflect on the previously conducted webinar entitled “Covid-19 Creating Opportunities from a Crisis for Pharmacy Students: Discussions from Around the Globe” organised by QPhUS.
Sixty-four students from different Middle Eastern pharmacy student associations teamed up and participated in the competition. A training session on writing a position paper was conducted by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) chairperson Rayene Abdel Hadi.
The QU-CPH duo's winning position paper focused on transforming challenges facing the educational sector due to COVID-19 and changing them into opportunities.
QPhUS contact person Bassant Elkattan said: “Reading all the papers shows the analytical and innovative side of the young generation, ready to strive for the best and able to tackle emergent issues such as e-learning.”
LPSA contact person Hadil Mdaihly added, “The enthusiasm participants had for the competition, and their creative thoughts gave me so much pleasure, and hope, that we are the change makers, and that the future lies in good hands.”
QU-CPH Pharmacy students also participated in the International Pharmacy Student Federation (IPSF) Covid-19 online competition to test and enhance the knowledge of Covid-19 among pharmacy students. Kheloud Awad was the first runner up for the EMRO and Fatima Nazar was the second runner up.
QU-CPH dean Dr Mohamed Diab congratulated the students saying: “We are proud and delighted to see our students shining locally and internationally. In line with QU vision of being recognised regionally for distinctive excellence in education, we at CPH support our students and encourage them to participate in these types of competitions. Student competition will enhance student’s creative thinking, strengthen their skills, and increase their sense of responsibility. Moreover taking part in this, students will build up and expand their networks with international and local experts.”
