North South University (NSU) proudly inaugurated the first-ever Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) of its Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, marking a significant milestone in fostering industry-academic collaboration in Bangladesh’s growing pharmaceutical sector. Held on Monday at NSU’s Syndicate Hall, the grand ceremony was attended by over 200 distinguished guests, including faculty members, students, and top leaders from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
A highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NSU and Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited, one of Bangladesh’s leading pharmaceutical companies. This strategic partnership aims to enhance collaboration in research, education, and workforce development, paving the way for transformative initiatives in pharmaceutical education and innovation.
Strengthening Industry-Academia Ties
Professor Dr. Mohammad Hussain Shahriar, Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, delivered the welcoming speech, where he outlined the department’s journey, vision, and future aspirations. He also presented honorary crests to the newly appointed IAB members in recognition of their contributions to the industry.
The newly formed Industrial Advisory Board includes 12 esteemed professionals from leading pharmaceutical and healthcare institutions, offering a wealth of experience in manufacturing, marketing, R&D, and medical services. The participating organizations include:
- Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Square Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Renata PLC
- Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC
- Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited
- ACI Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Everest Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Evercare Hospital
- Bangladesh Specialized Hospital
- Square Hospital
Driving Innovation and Student Success
This collaboration is expected to enrich NSU’s pharmaceutical sciences curriculum, drive industry-aligned research, and significantly boost job placement opportunities for graduates. By aligning academic programs with industry needs, NSU aims to produce highly skilled professionals ready for the global pharmaceutical market.
Key university leaders including Dr. Deepak Kumar Mitra, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences, Professor Abdur Rob Khan, Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor, and Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor, spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of syncing higher education with evolving industry standards.
MoU with Beximco: A Long-Term Commitment
The MoU with Beximco Pharmaceuticals underscores a long-term commitment to fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and practical training. This partnership is expected to create valuable opportunities for student internships, faculty development, and joint research initiatives.
Meet the Industrial Advisory Board Members:
- Rabbur Reza, COO, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Md. Nawabur Rahman, Executive Director (Technical Operations), Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Ehsan Aziz, Executive Director (Marketing), Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Rahat Uz-Zaman, Director (Marketing), Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Md. Ikhtiar Hossain, Executive Director (Technical), Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Md. Tanbir Sajib, CMO, Renata PLC
- Md. Muhsin Mia, Director (Marketing Operations), ACI Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- S.M. Mahmudul Haque Pallab, EVP (Marketing and Sales), Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC
- Md. Saiful Islam, Director of Operations, Everest Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Prof. Dr. M.S. Arfin, Director, Bangladesh Specialized Hospital
- Dr. Arif Mahmud, Group Medical Director, Evercare Hospital Ltd.
- Prof. Dr. Zahidul Hasan, Associate Director (Medical Services) & Senior Consultant, Square Hospital Ltd.
With this pioneering initiative, North South University positions itself as a leader in pharmaceutical education and research, driving innovation and excellence in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh.