The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has raised significant concerns regarding Busitema University’s recent supplementary admission list for the Bachelor of Pharmacy program for the 2024/2025 academic year. In a formal communication dated August 19, 2024, addressed to the Academic Registrar of Busitema University, the PSU highlighted key issues related to over-enrollment and the eligibility of admitted students, urging the university to take immediate corrective measures.
Busitema University’s Bachelor of Pharmacy program was officially accredited on July 10, 2024, by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) with a maximum intake capacity of 45 students per academic year. However, the PSU has identified that the university’s recently published admission list includes 62 students, a number that exceeds the accredited capacity by 17 students.
In his letter, Dr. Lutoti Stephen, a representative of the PSU, stressed the importance of adhering to the accredited intake numbers, stating, “As the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, we shall only consider the accredited number of the first 45 students on your admission list as the only officially and lawfully admitted number of pharmacy students at your University.”
This over-enrollment raises concerns about the quality of education and resources available to students, given that the program was accredited based on specific facilities and capacities. The PSU’s position is clear: any students admitted beyond the accredited number are not recognized as valid under the current accreditation terms.
The PSU’s letter also draws attention to the admission of four diploma holders into the Bachelor of Pharmacy program, one of whom is reported to have obtained their diploma from an unapproved institution. According to the Bachelor of Pharmacy curriculum, which is within PSU’s regulatory oversight, only individuals holding a diploma in Pharmacy from an approved institution are eligible for admission to the program.
“Take note that according to the Bachelor of Pharmacy curriculum, for a diploma holder to be admitted for Bachelor of Pharmacy, that diploma must be a diploma in Pharmacy,” Dr. Lutoti Stephen emphasized. This requirement is critical to ensure that all admitted students possess the foundational knowledge necessary for success in the program.
The PSU’s concerns, if not addressed, could have serious implications for Busitema University’s Pharmacy program, potentially affecting its accreditation status and the professional future of the students involved. The society has called on the university to take immediate steps to rectify these issues and align the admissions with the established guidelines.
The PSU’s letter reflects its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in pharmacy education in Uganda, as mandated under the Pharmacy and Drugs Act. “Should you need further clarification, please consult the undersigned,” Dr. Lutoti concluded, offering the PSU’s support in ensuring compliance with the relevant standards.
Busitema University is expected to respond to these concerns promptly, ensuring that its Bachelor of Pharmacy program meets the required standards of quality and fairness as set out by the National Council for Higher Education and the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda.
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