The College of Pharmacy at the University of Baghdad held its 11th International Scientific Conference under the slogan “Advancements in Pharmaceutical Education and Research,” under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Alabodi, and under the direct supervision of the Dean of the College, Associate Professor Dr. Sarmed H. Kathum Alkhateeb. The conference was attended by the honorable President of the University of Baghdad, Professor Dr. Bahaa Ibrahim Insaf; the honorable President of the Supervision and Scientific Evaluation Apparatus, Professor Dr. Salah Al-Fatlawi; the honorable Advisor to the Prime Minister for Pharmaceutical Industry Affairs, Dr. Hamoudi Abbas Al-Lami; and the honorable President of the Iraqi Pharmacists Syndicate, Dr. Haider Fuaad Al-Saigh, along with a distinguished group of deans and professors from pharmacy colleges, in addition to a large number of researchers and pharmacists on the 16th and 17th of April 2024. The opening session of the conference and its virtual and in-person sessions were attended by a distinguished group of faculty members and researchers from universities in Arab and foreign countries, such as Cardiff University in the UK, Newcastle University in Australia, and Qatar University. The aim was to exchange experiences and information related to the future prospects of pharmaceutical education and research and to learn about the latest developments in this regard. The importance and role of pharmaceutical research in serving the community were also discussed. The conference began with welcoming remarks and a tribute to the national anthem, followed by the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and the Fatiha for the souls of our martyrs. This was followed by a symbolic introduction by the head of the Media and Public Communication Division about the role played by the College of Pharmacy’s staff, with support from its administration, in advancing pharmaceutical research and education. Then, the President of the University of Baghdad delivered the opening speech on behalf of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education, followed by a speech by the Dean, who emphasized the importance of such conferences in preparing competent pharmacists capable of serving and advancing society in various fields. He stressed the need to establish a link with stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical laboratories. The conference aimed to enlighten participants with the latest scientific research and practical experiments applied at various international universities related to pharmaceutical education and methods of improvement. It also aimed to present a number of scientific research papers by local and international researchers covering various pharmaceutical topics. The conference included a roundtable discussion with the honorable guests on the current status of pharmaceutical education and the pharmacy profession, with the aim of finding the best means and solutions to ensure the preparation of pharmacists with efficient skills to meet the country’s needs in all health and research fields, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. A total of 150 scientific research papers were accepted from researchers affiliated with 29 different institutions, including foreign and government universities, private universities, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Industry. These papers included 36 presentations and 114 posters exhibited during the conference. Based on the information and discussions during the scientific sessions, the conference concluded with recommendations presented by the Dean in the closing statement, including the development of scientific curricula and pharmaceutical education, the use of interactive teaching methods and technology to ensure the preparation of pharmacists capable of keeping pace with advancements in the field, and meeting the needs of the country in all health and research areas, particularly in the pharmaceutical industries. The conference also emphasized supporting and developing pharmaceutical scientific research through financial and moral support, encouraging researchers to keep pace with global scientific advancements, and opening doors for cooperation with reputable international academic institutions. Furthermore, it remarked to enhance cooperation between state agencies by organizing joint workshops between researchers and professionals in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector to find solutions to the challenges facing pharmaceutical industries in the country, in light of the significant support provided by the government to support this sector and strive for self-sufficiency in medicine. The conference concluded with the hope of holding its 12th edition with new visions and perspectives, turning its recommendations into tangible realities.
