Objectives document of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Pharmaceutische Studenten Vereniging

Introduction
The objectives document of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Pharmaceutische Studenten Vereniging (K.N.P.S.V.) describes the goals of the association as they have been discussed with the departments known as G.F.S.V. “Pharmaciae Sacrum”, L.P.S.V. „Aesculapius” and U.P.S.V. “Unitas Pharmaceuticorum” and the Vereniging voor Chemie Studenten aan de Vrije Universiteit (VCSVU). The general objective is further substantiated by means of frameworks and the activities the K.N.P.S.V. organises. The K.N.P.S.V. and her departments work within these frameworks. Discussions are started at the GA if departments feel that a look needs to be taken beyond the frameworks. This document has to be evaluated every year so that the K.N.P.S.V. and her departments are an addition to each other for the members.

Objectives of the K.N.P.S.V.
The K.N.P.S.V. is an overarching body that was established with the objective to represent the interests of all pharmacy and (bio-)pharmaceutical sciences students in the Netherlands and its departments. It is in the interest of the students in the Netherlands to develop themselves on a social, scientific and professional area. The K.N.P.S.V. offers in addition to the education and the services of the departments. Four important frameworks contribute to this are: International involvement and representation, fraternization of the pharmacy and (bio-)pharmaceutical sciences students in the Netherlands, professional switch and stimulation of social involvement.

International involvement and representation
The first framework of the K.N.P.S.V. is on the international side. The K.N.P.S.V. is member of the European and world-wide association of pharmaceutical students, respectively the European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (EPSA) and the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF). In collaboration with these associations the K.N.P.S.V. participates in different projects that in effect make it possible to participate in foreign internships and exchanges. Members of the K.N.P.S.V. automatically become members of EPSA and IPSF and can become active within these associations and attend their congresses. These congresses consist of educational workshops, readings, social activities and offer a good opportunity to get to know students from different cultures and countries. Two executive board members of the K.N.P.S.V. are official contact persons of these associations. They represent the pharmacy and (bio-)pharmaceutical sciences students from the Netherlands during the General Assemblies of EPSA and IPSF. Due to the fact that the education is focused on a national level, it is a good addition that students get in touch with the (bio-)pharmacy in other countries and learn how to work with other people on an international scale. By participating in international activities, students gain experience and create international contacts that are very useful for the present and the future. Boardmembers of EPSA and IPSF are invited to the general assemblies of the K.N.P.S.V., where they give an update about their developments. If they cannot make it, they can give an update via a video message. Dutch students can get to know international students at a low threshold. The K.N.P.S.V. stimulates the contact between board members of EPSA, IPSF and members of the K.N.P.S.V. Board members of EPSA and IPSF are also invited to gala’s and parties of the departments. Information about foreign developments are shared with the Dutch students by the K.N.P.S.V. via social media, reports and a blog.

Fraternization within pharmact(bio-)pharmacy students in the Netherlands
It is very important and fun for students to get to know students from different cities so they can get to know the differences in curricula and possibly meet future colleagues. A member of one of the four local departments automatically becomes a member of the K.N.P.S.V. thus are the K.N.P.S.V. activities open for all four cities. Every K.N.P.S.V. activity consists of a social aspect like a dinner, drinks or party. The travel expenses that are made for attending a K.N.P.S.V. activity will be reimbursed with an own allowance of €4.50. Travel expenses that are made to attend the General Assembly will be completely reimbursed without an own payment. Only expenses within the Netherlands will be reimbursed. The board of K.N.P.S.V. attends activities of the departments if possible, so that they can stay updated on the developments within the departments. The board also interacts with the members at the activities so the relationship can be strengthened between the board and the members. This can be with the complete board or with a delegation. The board also promotes the K.N.P.S.V. activities at the departments. The committees from the K.N.P.S.V. support the board. The possibilities of promotion are annually discussed with the departments. All departments are promoted equally.

Professional switch

The K.N.P.S.V. maintains contact with professional associations what creates a bridge between students and the professional associations. This makes the K.N.P.S.V. a national point of contact for these professional associations to the students from the different departments. This contact is important for the Dutch students to get in touch with future employers and to stay informed of the latest developments in the professional world. In order to achieve this, the K.N.P.S.V. intensively maintains contact with the following professional associations:

  • Koninklijke Maatschappij ter bevordering der Pharmacie (KNMP)
    • Association that stands for all pharmacists
  • De Nederlandse Vereniging voor Ziekenhuisapothekers (NVZA)
    • Association for clinical pharmacists
  • Vereniging voor Nederlandse Industrie Apothekers
    • Association for industrial pharmacists
  • Nederlandse Vereniging voor Klinische Farmacologie en Biofarmacie (NVKFB)
    • Associations for clinical pharmacology and bio-pharmacy
  • Nederlandse Vereniging voor Poliklinische Farmacie (NVPF)
    • Association for polyclinical pharmacy
  • Vereniging van Jonge Apothekers (VJA)
    • Association for young pharmacists

The K.N.P.S.V. actively informs students about student memberships from these associations and organizes activities with the associations. The focus is emphasized on professional orientation and personal development.

Stimulation of social involvement
Social issues are important in every field of profession. This also applies to the (bio-)pharmaceutical field. The developments on a social level within the pharmaceutical field are big. The K.N.P.S.V. keeps students updated of social developments within healthcare via essays and blogs. The K.N.P.S.V. also informs students with public campaigns. The K.N.P.S.V. does not stand for a political opinion but will act acording to interest of the members. A future activity will be organized with a social aspect.

 

Activities of the K.N.P.S.V.
The frameworks of the K.N.P.S.V. are fulfilled by organizing activities. These activities will always be organized to fulfill the interests of the members. Due to the national aspect of the K.N.P.S.V., the activities have to fill at least half a day.

International

international internships
The K.N.P.S.V. in collaboration with IPSF and EPSA offer Dutch students and international students an opportunity to go on an internship abroad.

IPSF offers the Student exchange Program (SEP). SEP gives the student the chance to be an intern in the public pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, university or industry. The internship happens a time span of a few weeks or months depending on the internship. The K.N.P.S.V. guides students with finding an intern abroad and guides students from abroad in finding an intern in the Netherlands. These internships can be done at any moment of the studies. This give students from the Netherlands the possibility to go abroad during their bachelors and master for a longer internship.

The Individual Mobility Project (IMP) is a project that is set up in collaboration with EPSA. Students in the Netherlands have the opportunity to do a paid (research)internship abroad for six to twelve months. These internships are meant for master students and recent graduates. The internships are offered by highly respected companies and institutions in Europe.

TWIN

The TWIN is an annual exchange program between the K.N.P.S.V. and other European pharmaceutical study associations via EPSA. The TWIN is structured around two weekends in which both countries are visited. Both weekends are about integration between students and the comparison between the education. This is accomplished with educational lectures and a social program.

International readings
The K.N.P.S.V. finds it important that students get in touch with EPSA and IPSF. Therefore the K.N.P.S.V. annually organizes international readings during lunch break or in the evening in Groningen, Leiden, Utrecht and Amsterdam. These readings inform students what they can do and how they can become active internationally during their studies and after graduation. The EPSA and IPSF congresses are highlighted and students are informed about the TWIN. There is also someone who comes to talk about their experience going abroad with the SEP or IMP.

Fraternization

 Folia Pharmaceutica
The Folia Pharmaceutica is the digital magazine of the association with almost 3000 copies a year. Members and donors receive the Folia Pharmaceutica four times a year in their inbox. The magazine consists of scientific publications, essays of the activities from the K.N.P.S.V. and the agenda of upcoming activities. International topics can be read in the Folia as well, like essays of international congresses, exchange programs and experiences of foreign students about their education and study association. This magazine is a good addition to the topics discussed at lectures.

K.N.P.S.V.-congress
The K.N.P.S.V.-congress is the biggest event known to the association. This event is annually organized during ascension weekend to celebrate the birthday of the K.N.P.S.V. The congress has an extensive educational program that at least consist of a symposium and a workshop or discussion platform. The congress also consists of social activities like a cultural activity, tug-of-war, the goodwill activity, a sportive activity and theme parties. The general assembly of the K.N.P.S.V. takes place on the first day. Important issues are discussed and the handover to the next board takes place during the GA.

Sportsday
The K.N.P.S.V. organizes a sports day annually. This day should be built around a sportive competition between the departments and it is not allowed to be an activity organized by one of the departments in the same year. The day often ends with a dinner and some possible drinks.

Bachelor activity
The bachelor activity will be organized with an educational interpretation. The activity is organized by the Board. The activity is organized to introduce bachelor students to the K.N.P.S.V.

Professional

Professions day
The professions day can take place because of the good relationship between the K.N.P.S.V. and the professional associations. When thinking about the program’s pharmacy and (bio-)pharmaceutical sciences, people in general think about the most common professions like a public pharmacist, clinical pharmacist or researcher. The professions day will show that there is a much wider careers perspective for (bio-)pharmacists. This is an aspect that the programs don’t offer a lot of information on. The day consists of plenary lectures and about thirty different workshops. This ensures that many professions are brought to light.

The professions day takes place every other year alternated with the career days of the departments, accept for G.F.S.V. “Pharmaciae Sacrum”, and the day of the pharmaceutical industry. There shall be enough time between the profession’s day and the careers day.

Day of the pharmaceutical industry
The K.N.P.S.V. organizes in collaboration with the NIA the day of the Pharmaceutical industry. The objective of the day is to inform students on the career possibilities in the pharmaceutical industry. The day has a lot to offer since this is a topic within that is not covered much in the different curricula.
The day consists of plenary readings and different workshops. The day can possibly end with some drinks, which is not a networking event. This day is altered with the careersday (Beroependag). So, it takes place every other year. The departments can organize an evening about the pharmaceutical industry if they feel it is necessary.

NK-consultvoering
The goal of the national consultancy is mainly social in nature. Due to the increasing demand and expectation of the public pharmacist in the healthcare it is important that students get trained the right way. A good medication counseling is essential for an effective therapy from the pharmacist. The skill to consult is not always covered during the pharmacy programs. That’s why the K.N.P.S.V. organizes the NK-consultvoering, a national competition in consulting patients. Pharmacy masterstudents from Groningen, Leiden and Utrecht can compete in consulting actors that pretend to be patients. The student should be able to discover the problem, help and advice the patient.

VJA/K.N.P.S.V. activity
Every other year an activity is organized in collaboration with the VJA (association for young pharmacists). This activity is centered around networking, social and personal development. Pharmacy students can get in touch with recently graduated pharmacists who share their first experiences as a pharmacist. This is a good addition to the program.

Snuffelstages
Snuffelstage is a one-day internship project from the K.N.P.S.V. that gives students the opportunity to have a look at different pharmaceutical professions. Students can apply for a one-day internship for the public pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, polyclinical pharmacy and industry pharmacist. These internships are organised with the help from professional associations.

Social importance

Public campaigns
The public health campaigns from the professional associations, EPSA and IPSF are brought to the attention of the students by the K.N.P.S.V. via Facebook, email, the Folia Pharmaceutica and the blog. The K.N.P.S.V. is neutral and does not have a political opinion but will operate in the interest of the students. Moreover, the K.N.P.S.V. organizes a few public health campaigns by their self.

Set up: 10-05-2017
Adjusted at: 27-01-2021