‘Studying at this institute opened doors to pursue better options’

Not knowing what you want to do and why you are enrolling in a particular programme may sound a little far-fetched and strange to most people today. But this is precisely how Sumer Tanvar felt after he passed out of class XII from the Science (medical).

“I was good in Science and opted for it in class XI with Biology. I had no clear career path in my mind. When you live in a district like Palwal in Haryana you have limited choices. So, after class XII, I found myself at a loose end not knowing what to do next. That is when a person in our neighbourhood told me about Apeejay Stya University (ASU) and their programme in DPharma. I enrolled and here I am,” Tanvar said.

Excerpts from an interview.

How were your days at Apeejay Stya University?

I am from the 2017-19 batch. Luckily there was no COVID-19 back then. So, our classes were on campus. We had a lot of fun. We were a bunch of good friends and enjoyed our time at ASU. The institute held events from time to time and we had fun being part of it. Those were interesting times.

How was the faculty?

I can say with confidence they were the best; at least for the DPharma programme. Although it has been almost four years since I passed out of ASU, I still remember the way Manoj sir taught us. He was so good and not teaching. He was always there to lend a helping hand whenever anyone needed it.

What was the teaching methodology?

It was a mix of theory and practical projects. Both were extremely helpful in honing my skills in the medical field. I learnt so much about medicines and the ins and out of how the pharma industry runs. So much so, that if I wanted to open a retail pharmacy I would know how to go about it. That is what is good about ASU; they ensure that you are ready to face the challenges once you step out of the campus grounds.

Why did you choose DPharma?

As I mentioned, after class XII, I was not sure what I wanted to do. Everyone said that instead of sitting at home aimlessly, I must take up a course. That is when a neighbour suggested that I look at Apeejay Stya University. He had studied here himself and had good things to say about it. After doing a bit of research I came across the DPharma programme. Since I did Science (medicine) I decided to pursue this.

Are you working at present?

No, I am pursuing my MBBS degree from Moscow. Like India, it is a five-year programme. Yes, when I come back to India and decide to practice here I will have to sit for an exam but it is still a long way ahead. I have just entered my second year. At present, we have a break so I am home and will be in India for another couple of months.

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“The knowledge that I gained at ASU’s DPharma programme is helping me study MBBS. With the practical knowledge that was given, I have a good understanding of how the pharmaceutical sector functions. It is always good to have that extra information”

–Sumer Tanvar, Alumnus of Apeejay Stya University

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How is education in Moscow?

It is an MBBS programme so it is intense. But I am sure that it is the same in India as well. But the charm is that I had to only qualify for NEET; I didn’t need a score of over 680 to qualify for a government college nearby. The icing on the cake is that you are studying in a foreign country in college where there are people from different walks of life. It is such an eye-opener. I have got to know about so many other options that I can pursue once I am done with my course.

Why choose Moscow?

Again, it was something that was planned. I decided to become a doctor and was looking for options in India and abroad. I know a lot of people who have gone there for this programme and said good things.  Also, it is cheaper to study there.

Do you think that your two-year DPharma at ASU has helped you in some way?

Yes, to a certain extent. I know all there is to know about medicines and different salts which makes it easy to study these in MBBS. Also, due to the practical knowledge that was given, I have a good understanding of how the pharmaceutical sector functions. It is always good to have that extra information; it always comes in handy.