Nearly a decade ago Aspen established the Work Integrated Learning Programme. This initiative exposes some 80 pharmacy students to an industrial pharmaceutical environment annually, with the aim of bridging the gap between theory and practice.
As part of our ongoing investment in South Africa’s next generation of pharmacists, earlier this year we hosted 79 fourth-year pharmacy students from the Nelson Mandela University on the programme. Aspen has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the University, and, of late, its pharmacy students have been accommodated at the Group’s Learning Academy which was inaugurated at the manufacturing site in Gqeberha in 2020.
The six-day Work Integrated Learning Programme is facilitated over two wees. During the first week students are taught the importance of establishing and maintaining product stability, good manufacturing practice, quality control protocols, and compliance to standard operating procedures. The second week offers insights into the complexities of sterile production, warehousing and packaging of products, with direct exposure into the sophistication of a world-class sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
Over the years a number of these students have been offered internships at Aspen. After successfully completing this process as well as statutory community service, and once they are fully trained as pharmacists,some have returned to Aspen where they have formally embarked o their career with the Group as qualified pharmacists.
