Pharmacy education in Gujarat is looking to face a new challenge in the current academic session. The scenario so far from the ongoing pharmacy admissions undoubtedly seems grimmer than ever as a large crisis looms large over the state. Going as per the latest trends, an unforeseen challenge is already on the cards which are surely going to bring much shame and humility for the state’s pharmacy sector.
The admissions going on in Gujarat’s pharmacy colleges have thrown up some substandard numbers regarding the magnitude of students taking admission in pharmacy. Originally pharmacy colleges in Gujarat boast of a total of 4800 seats which is the maximum intake capacity of all institutes combined. But during the first round of admissions, only 2776 seats were allotted for the intake of students. Sadly enough, even after prolonged procedures of counselling, more than half of the allotted seats still remain vacant so far.
It is known that just a meagre 1034 students have pledged their admissions so far in the pharmacy colleges. This means that out of the 2776 seats, 1034 are expected to be filled up which automatically means that more than 62% of the allotted seats are confirmed to remain vacant.
Incidentally, pharmacy colleges faced a similar scenario last year where as many as 2848 seats remained vacant after the completion of the entire counselling procedure. The situation is turning out to be even worse this year with numbers dwindling more than ever. It is expected that the number of vacant seats this year will cross last year’s despicable record of vacant seats.
The situation is expected to turn worse in the upcoming days as within a weak the medical and paramedical admissions for this year are scheduled to commence. The initiation of medical and paramedical admissions will generate an even larger void which will further aggravate the crisis. It is already expected that a large chunk of students enrolled in the pharmacy course will eventually leave the pharmacy colleges for better prospects in the medical arena.
“Even after such low number of admissions in the pharmacy colleges, it is quite disheartening to see students leaving their seats and cramming up for admission in medical colleges. This year will be the worst of all in the history of Gujarat’s pharmacy education,” said a senior official of a reputed pharmacy college.
It has been said that if a special request is tabled in order to allow further admissions in pharmacy colleges only then can the state expect to arrest the worsening statistics. Official procedures are reportedly underway in order to devise and carry out the needed requirements to ensure that at least some of the lost territory in recovered in the upcoming days.
Meanwhile students reflected their views by saying that they felt medical field to be a better prospect for them compared to pharmacy. “The scope in pharmacy is limited while medical education provides many more dimensions as the spectrum of benefits is wider. The current recession has further reduced the availability of pharmacy prospects for pass out students who want a secure future,” said a medical aspirant who has joined a pharmacy college for the meanwhile.