(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: The Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society (QPhUS) in collaboration with the Lebanese Pharmacy Student Association (LPSA) conducted a competition entitled ‘The Policy Ambassador Competition' for pharmacy students in the Middle East.
The competition aims at building member's delegation skills, and knowledge on policy and position papers. In light of the current pandemic, the topic chosen was ‘Challenges of Online Learning during Covid-19' to reflect on the previously conducted webinar entitled ‘COVID-19 Creating Opportunities from a Crisis for Pharmacy Students: Discussions from Around the Globe' organised by QPhUS and hosted by Qatar University College of Pharmacy (QU-CPH).
Sixty-four students from different Middle Eastern pharmacy student associations teamed up and participated in the competition. A training session on writing a position paper was conducted by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) Chairperson Rayene Abdel Hadi.
Pharmacy students Shahd Elamin and Waad Elamin won first place for their position paper ‘Online Learning during COVID-19: Challenges and Resolutions.' The position paper focused on transforming challenges facing the educational sector due to COVID-19 and changing them into opportunities.
Shahd Al Amin commented, 'We are proud of this opportunity to represent ourselves, our college and the community of pharmacists and pharmacy students. With this opportunity, we stress the importance of engaging all of us in the decision-making system, whether in our college community or the pharmacy profession as a whole.
'We are grateful to QU's CPH for providing us with many opportunities for learning. Participation in the position paper is of great importance as it enables us to present our position and encourage change in a professional manner based on evidence, said Waad Al Amin.
QPhUS contact person Bassant Elkattan commented, 'It was a great and joyful experience to be able to see the students from different countries starting to step up and be part of the solution. Reading all the papers shows the analytical and innovative side of the young generation, ready to strive for the best and able to tackle emergent issues such as e-learning.
LPSA contact person Hadil Mdaihly added, 'Nothing beats the pleasure of seeing youth exploring challenges and resolutions. The enthusiasm participants had for the competition, and their creative thoughts gave me so much pleasure, and hope, that we are the change makers, and that the future lies in good hands.
Furthermore, CPH Pharmacy students also participated in the International Pharmacy Student Federation (IPSF) COVID-19 online competition aiming to test and enhance the knowledge of COVID-19 among pharmacy students. Pharmacy Student Kheloud Awad was the first runner up for the EMRO and Fatima Nazar was the second runner up.
Kheloud Awad commented on the competition saying, 'I was very proud to represent Qatar and specifically QU-CPH. This competition reinforced my medical knowledge about COVID-19, satisfied my curiosity about the virus and enhanced my research and critical appraisal skills. Moreover, it made me realize how complex and strong the virus is, which eventually made me appreciate all health care providers and the idea of interprofessional education.
Fatima Nazar added: 'I was able to explore in depth about the properties and transmission of the virus as well as its impact on the human body. It amazed me how such a minuscule subject could bring drastic changes to the world. The competition also enhanced my skills in research and clinical perspective.
QU-CPH Dean Dr. Mohammad Diab congratulated the students saying: 'We are proud and delighted to see our students shining locally and internationally. In line with QU vision of being recognized regionally for distinctive excellence in education, we at CPH support our students and encourage them to participate in these types of competitions. Student competition will enhance student's creative thinking, strengthen their skills, and increase their sense of responsibility. Moreover taking part in this, students will build up and expand their networks with international and local experts.
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