Koninklijke Nederlandse Pharmaceutische Studenten Vereniging

In short

The Koninklijke Nederlandse Pharmaceutische Studenten Vereniging (translated as the Royal Dutch Pharmaceutical Students’ association or abbreviated the K.N.P.S.V.) is the national association for all pharmacy students and (bio-)pharmaceutical sciences students in the Netherlands. The focus points of the K.N.P.S.V. are: fraternization, international, social and professional importance. The K.N.P.S.V. organises different activities for the members throughout the year that focus on these points. Members are informed about the activities via the website, email, Facebook and Instagram. The K.N.P.S.V. represents the students from the Netherlands during the General Assemblies of the European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (EPSA) and the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF).

Objectives of the K.N.P.S.V.

The most important objective of the K.P.S.V. is to fulfil the interests of all pharmacy students and (bio)-pharmaceutical sciences students of the Netherlands. It is in the interest of the Dutch student to develop him/her self in social and scientific areas as an addition to their education. The K.N.P.S.V. does this with 3 focal points:

The K.N.P.S.V. maintains contact with professional associations, which creates a bridge between students and the professional associations. This makes the K.N.P.S.V. a central contact for these professional associations to the students from the different departments. This contact is important for the Dutch students so they can get in touch with future employers and stay informed about 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 public pharmacists

Association for young pharmacists

International involvement and representation

The K.N.P.S.V. is a member of the European and global association for (bio)-pharmaceutical and pharmacy students, respectively the European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (EPSA) and the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF). Two executive board members of the K.N.P.S.V. are the official contacts for these associations. They represent the (bio)-pharmaceutical and pharmacy students in the Netherlands during the General Assemblies of EPSA and IPSF.

The K.N.P.S.V. participates in different events and projects via these international associations. This improves the mobility of students and creates opportunities for students in the Netherlands to do an internship abroad or to participate in exchange programs. Members of the K.N.P.S.V. are automatically members of EPSA and IPSF. Members and can become active within these associations and can participate in their events. The events consist of mainly educational workshops, readings and social activities. During these events, students exchange knowledge and cultures from different countries.

During your education, the main focus is the local situation in the Netherlands. That makes it so much more important to take the opportunity to be active within EPSA and IPSF.

Fraternization of the pharmacy students and (bio-)pharmaceutical sciences students in the Netherlands

 It is important that students from different cities interact with each other and share their knowledge and differences in curriculum. This will benefit possible future collaborations in the (bio-)pharmaceutical professional field. There are four local departments in the Netherlands. They are “Pharmaciae Sacrum” in Groningen, L.P.S.V. ,,Aesculapius” in Leiden, U.P.S.V. “Unitas Pharmaceuticorum” in Utrecht and Vereniging van Chemie Studenten aan de Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. A member of a department automatically becomes a member of the K.N.P.S.V. This means that the activities of the K.N.P.S.V. are open to all members of the four departments. Travel expenses that are made to attend K.N.P.S.V. activities can be refunded with an own contribution of €4.50. The executives of the K.N.P.S.V. board attend many activities of the departments to stay updated about the developments within the departments and to strengthen the bond between members.

Activities of the K.N.P.S.V.

The K.N.P.S.V. pursues her goals by organizing different activities. The K.N.P.S.V. shall always act in the interests of all members when pursuing these goals.

We hope to see you at one of our activities

Bachelor Activity

The Bachelor Activity is for all (bio)pharmaceutical bachelor students. It is a fun day and commonly has an educational element as well. This way, bachelor students from different cities can get to know each other, and the K.N.P.S.V., a little better in an accessible manner.

Professions day*

What does your future look like? What are you going to do in the future? What are your motives and what do you enjoy doing? These are very common questions for students. We as committee want pharmacy students to get a taste of what can be in the future. What branches are there in the (bio-)pharmaceutical world and what can I achieve? Discover the answers to these questions at the professions day.

The professions day can take place thanks to the good relationship between the K.N.P.S.V. and the professional associations. When thinking about the programs pharmacy and (bio-)pharmaceutical sciences, people in general think about the most common professions like a public pharmacist, clinical pharmacist or researcher. The careers day will show that there is a much wider careers perspective for (bio-)pharmacists. This is an aspect that the educational programs don’t offer a lot of information on. The day consists of plenary readings and about thirty different workshops. This ensures that many professions are brought to light. Not sure about what you want to do in the future? Want to broaden your horizon? Or want to look into a specific professional area? Then apply for the workshops you are interested in so that you can focus on your future.

Personal Development Day

The PDD is all about developing your soft skills. The day offers different workshops and trainings that allow you to develop different skills. You can think of presenting, making a good LinkedIn page, speaking in front of a crowd, knowing what factors influence your personal development and how you can get the most out of your career and much more.
Traditionally the PDD ends with some drinks where professional associations like the KNMP, VJA, NVZA and NIA are present.

Folia Pharmaceutica

The Folia Pharmaceutica is the digital magazine of the association with almost 3000 copies a year. Members and donators receive the Folia four times a year in their inbox. The magazine consists of scientific publications, essays on 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.

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 breaks 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 time as student 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.

(International) internship

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, poly-clinical pharmacy and industry pharmacist. These internships are organised with VJA, VAZA, NVPF, NIA and different pharmaceutical companies.

In collaboration with IPSF and EPSA provide students the opportunity to participate in joining the Student Exchange Program (SEP). The SEP is a project that takes a few weeks up to a couple of months in which students are on an internship in the public pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, university or industry abroad. These internships help students to get in touch with pharmacies and different pharmacists during their bachelors.

 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 to celebrate the birthday of the K.N.P.S.V. The congress consists of an educational program and social activities. 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. The day after is the symposium with different speakers. The rest of the weekend has a cultural activity, a sportive activity and the reception in celebration of the birthday of the K.N.P.S.V.

The K.N.P.S.V. weekend

The K.N.P.S.V. weekend starts with the autumn general meeting (AV), where all affairs of the association are discussed. After this is a subsequent party. The next day the weekend will end with the Functionary Activity (FuAc). The Functionary Activity is a fun day out, organized by the board, to thank the Functionaries/ committee members. The weekend generally takes place in the city, where the current board is located.

NIA-Day (Day of the pharmaceutical industry)*

The K.N.P.S.V. organizes in collaboration with the NIA the day of the pharmaceutical industry with the goal to inform students about the professional opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry. This sector has a lot to offer to students and isn’t covered as much during the pharmacy program at the university. The day consists of a plenary reading, different workshops and speed dates with different industrial pharmacists.

NK-consultvoering

The objective of the NK-consultvoering is mainly social in nature. Due to the increasing demand and expectation of the public pharmacist in healthcare it is important that students get trained the right way. A good medication counselling 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. Masters students from Groningen, Utrecht and Leiden can compete in consulting actors that pretend to be patients. The student should be able to discover the problem, help and advice the patient.

Hockey tournament

Once a year around June, the sports committee organizes the one and only pharmaceutical hockey tournament. In this tournament, different teams from our departments compete for the ultimate honor! After hockey, dinner and a drink / party is also arranged. Sports Day: In addition to the pharmaceutical hockey tournament, a sports day is also organized. This day consists of a day of sports/ being outdoors, then the day or to close with a nice drink with all participants.

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 curricula. This is accomplished with educational readings and a social program.

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.

We hope to see you at one of our activities!

*These activities take place once in two years.