Bangladesh University Organized Grand Pharma Reunion-2025 Together on ‘Celebrating Our Legacy’

Dhaka, 1st March 2025: The Bangladesh University Pharmacy Alumni Association (BUPAA) successfully hosted the 1st Grand Pharma Reunion-2025 at the Permanent Campus of Bangladesh University, 5/B Beribandh Main Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207. The daylong event was a historic gathering of alumni, faculty members, industry leaders, and students, celebrating the legacy, achievements, and future aspirations of the pharmacy fraternity.

Together: Celebrating Our Legacy

The program commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a grand inauguration led by the Honorable Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Jahangir Alam, alongside distinguished guests. Md. Zakaria Faruki, President of BUPAA, delivered an inspiring welcome speech, emphasizing the significance of this reunion in strengthening alumni connections and fostering future collaborations.

President, BUPAA addressed the Vision & Purpose of BUPAA: As the Bangladesh University Pharmacy Alumni Association (BUPAA) is dedicated to –
Building a strong professional network among alumni, Providing mentorship & career guidance to students, Strengthening industry-academia collaboration, Advocating for the establishment of Hospital, Community, Retail & Clinical Pharmacy in Bangladesh. Creating a sustainable alumni fund to support students, research, and institutional development.

Key Highlights & Distinguished Guests
Chief Guest:
Professor Dr. Jahangir Alam, Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh University, expressed his immense appreciation for the 1st Grand Pharma Reunion-2025 and commended BUPAA for uniting professionals from academia, industry, and regulatory sectors. He highlighted the remarkable contributions of BU Pharmacy alumni in national and international fields, including higher studies in Europe & the USA, leadership roles in academia and industry, and entrepreneurial ventures. He emphasized the importance of alumni collaboration with the department and current students to strengthen professional development.

Special Guests:

Dr. S. M. Abdur Rahman, Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Dhaka University & Advisor, Department of Pharmacy, Bangladesh University, emphasized that, graduate pharmacists play an essential role in healthcare by ensuring the appropriate selection of medicines and their rational and safe use. He stressed the necessity of establishing BCS Pharmacy under the Public Service Commission (PSC) to ensure better professional opportunities for pharmhospitals Bangladesh.
Mr. Belayet Hossain, Senior Pharmacist & 4th Batch Student, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, expressed his deep concern over the lack of implementation of Hospital, Clinical, Retail, and Community Pharmacy in the national healthcare system, despite 61 years of pharmacy education in Bangladesh. With over 30,000 graduate pharmacists from 51 public and private universities, he urged the Government of Bangladesh to ensure pharmacists’ rights and integrate them into the healthcare sector.

Mr. Md. Azibur Rahman, President, Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum (BPF) & General Secretary, Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum, discussed the crucial role of pharmacists in national healthcare. He emphasized BPF’s active fight for pharmacists’ rights and their six-point proposal submitted to the Health Sector Reform Commission to align Bangladesh’s healthcare services with international standards. The demands include:

Recruiting graduate pharmacists in hospitals as Hospital Pharmacist, Reserving the post of Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) for pharmacists

Crest of Honour & BUPAA Merit Awards:
During the 1st Grand Pharma Reunion- 2025, Crests of Honour were presented to:
Chief Guest: Prof. Dr. Jahangir Alam, Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh University
Guest of Honour: Registrar Brigadier General Mahbubul Haque & Engineer Gulam Dostagir, Secretary, Board of Trustees, BU

Distinguished Special Guests:
Professor Dr. Selim Reza, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Muhammad Mahbubul Haq, Secretary, Bangladesh Pharmacy Council, Md. Jamal Uddin Sikder, President, Pharmaraw Bangladesh, President & General Secretary, Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum (BPF)

Additionally, BUPAA Merit Awards were conferred upon the top-performing students from each batch of the Department of Pharmacy, Bangladesh University, in recognition of their academic excellence.

On behalf of overseas Alumni,
Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Jha, PhD, Principal Scientist at Sanofi USA and one of the most esteemed alumni of the Department of Pharmacy, Bangladesh University, graced the Grand Reunion Programme with his heartfelt virtual greetings. His inspiring words resonated deeply, reflecting his enduring connection to his alma mater and his immense pride in being a part of this cherished community. His journey stands as a beacon of inspiration for many, reminding us all of the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

Acknowledgments & Program Segments:
Prof. A. K. Azad, Head, Department of Pharmacy, Bangladesh University, served as the Program Chair, extending his heartfelt thanks to all attendees. The Organizing Committee received high praise for its tireless efforts in making this grand event a success.

The event featured several engaging segments, including:
Meet & Greet Inaugural Sessions, Networking & Interactive Session, Echoes of BUPAA – Alumni Stories,Raffle Draw, Cultural Carnival, Closing & Vote of Thanks

The 1st Grand Pharma Reunion-2025 was a resounding success, strengthening the bond between alumni and inspiring a shared vision for the future of the pharmacy profession in Bangladesh.