Collaborative Partnership: 2+3 Pharmacy Programme between School of Medicine – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City and University of Otago

2023-10-10 09:04:25

On the afternoon of October 9th, 2023, at the YA1 Administrative Building, bringing together first- and second-year Pharmacy students from the School of Medicine – VNUHCM and representatives from the University of Otago in New Zealand. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and establish a credit transfer programme in Pharmacy between the two institutions, as part of the collaboration under the University of Otago. This programme aims to provide opportunities for the students to transfer credits and pursue their studies in Pharmacy at both universities, fostering international academic cooperation and enhancing educational experiences.

During the meeting, MSc. Tam Le, the Regional Marketing Director from the University of Otago, provided valuable insights into various aspects. This included discussing the living environment and job opportunities in New Zealand, as well as highlighting the learning environment and scholarship policies at Otago University.

MSc. Tam Le, the Regional Marketing Director from the University of Otago, provided valuable insights into various aspects.

This credit exchange programme is specifically designed for pharmacy students, facilitating collaboration between two leading institutions in Vietnam and New Zealand. The programme entails 2 years of study at the School of Medicine – VNUHCM, with students required to maintain a minimum GPA of 7.5/10 and achieve an IELTS score of 6.5. Following this, students will continue their education for 3 years at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Otago. Upon successfully completing the comprehensive five-year programme, students will be awarded a University Pharmacy Degree from the University of Otago. Furthermore, graduates will be eligible for a visa granting them the opportunity to work in New Zealand for a period of up to 3 years after graduation.

First- and second-year Pharmacy students from the School of Medicine – VNUHCM and representatives from the University of Otago in New Zealand

The Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Otago is renowned for its long-standing history and commitment to pharmaceutical science, clinical pharmacy, and community pharmacy research training. All Health Sciences programmes offered at the University of Otago incorporate clinical research and laboratory work, providing students with comprehensive practical experiences. Graduates from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Otago are highly esteemed globally for their exceptional skills, research expertise, and clinical diagnostic capabilities.

The University of Otago maintains stringent standards when establishing training collaborations with universities worldwide, and the School of Medicine – VNUHCM has been selected as one of the esteemed partners for joint training programmes over the years. This partnership reflects the broader global trend among universities to enhance the educational experience for students by providing them with opportunities for exchange and study in diverse environments. Such collaborations aim to cultivate global citizenship among students and expose them to different socio-economic contexts, thereby bolstering their integration and career development prospects upon graduation.

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School of Medicine – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City