Evaluation of the Bachelor study programme in "Pharmacy". University of Latvia
by Rita Forande. Lembit Allikmets and Eric Van Marck. 14 to 15 October.2002
The self-evaluation document is a very well written comprehensive document, clearly
outlining the goals, aims and structure of the curriculum. Additional information by
professor Ruta Muceniece, director of their programmes, is the enumeration of strong c.q.
weak points in this programme. In summary, strong points would be:
- integration of faculty in university environment
- interest from the students' side
- quality of the academic personnel (mainly trained abroad)
- enthusiastic staff
- collaboration with universities in western Europe (Uppsala, Rostock for
curriculum, teachers, scientifically).
On the other hand, possible weaknesses would be: the lack of financial means (and hence
difficulties in attracting the best teachers and scientists).
Visits were paid to the LU faculty of medicine (dean, vice-dean, director of pharmacy
programme), to the LU administration (vice-rector of research).
A visit to the chairs of anatomy, pathology, biochemistry revealed rather traditional
teaching means, yet still attractive for students (mainly home-made didactic materials)
A meeting with heads of research laboratories of LU Biomedical research and study
Centre (BMC) showed a strongly integrated laboratory in the practical teaching of
students.
The meeting with representatives of pharmacy students and student self-government
revealed the following points:
- representatives are elected
- the curriculum has been adapted at the request of students
(biochemistry)
- courses are not too heavy
- do students consider the bachelor diploma being a finality:
enthusiastically, their answer is no! is study of Latin necessary: yes
- there are no overlaps between courses
- there are enough credit points for physiology and pathophysiology
- the fact that auditoria and laboratories are often located at great
distances is not felt to be too difficult
The meeting with potential employers: they stressed the enormous need of highlyeducated pharmacists. They would only hire "masters", not "bachelors" (Bachelor of
Pharmacy)
Recommendations
To the government of LU:
• It is necessary to apply for the increase of admission of the state paid
pharmacy students to follow the needs of industry of Latvia.
• To find resources to increase stipends for master and doctoral
students. General conclusions
The curriculum and programmes are well designed and well comparable to the curricula in
pharmacy faculties in the European Union. The strong points mentioned in the selfevaluation report can be fully endorsed. An additional very strong point is the great
interaction with the faculty of chemistry of LU.
General recommendations
To accredit the curriculum and programmes of Bachelor degree in pharmacy as an
academic programme in the University of Latvia for 6 (six) years.
Rita Forande, Chief of the Commission for Certification of Pharmacists in Latvia
Professor Lembit Allikmets, University of Tartu
Proffessor Eric Van Marck, University of Antwerp
15.10.2002
Bachelor study programme in "Pharmacy". University of Latvia
Personal evaluation by Eric Van Marck. MD. PhD. University of Antwerp. Belgium. 14
to 15 Qctober.2002
The self-evaluation document is a very well written comprehensive document. Additional
information by professor Ruta Muceniece, at the request of one of us, was to enumerate
what are considered strong c.q. weak points in this programme. In summary, strong points
would be: : - integration of faculty in university environment
- interest from the students' side
- quality of the academic personnel (mainly trained abroad)
- enthusiastic staff
- collaboration with universities in western Europe (Uppsala, Rostock for
curriculum, teachers, scientifically).
On the other hand, possible weaknesses would be: the lack of financial means (and
hence difficulties in attracting the best teachers and scientists).
Visits were paid to the LU faculty of medicine (dean, vice-dean, director of
pharmacy programme), to the LU administration (vice-rector of research).
A visit to the chairs of anatomy, pathology, biochemistry revealed rather traditional
teaching means, yet still attractive for students (mainly home-made didactic materials)
A meeting with heads of research laboratories of LU Biomedical research and study
Centre (BMC) showed a strongly integrated laboratory in the practical teaching of
students.
The meeting with representatives of pharmacy students and student self-government
revealed the following points::
- representatives are elected
the curriculum has been adapted at the request of students
(biochemistry) courses are not too heavy
- do students consider the bachelor diploma being a finality:
enthusiastically, their answer is no!
- is study of Latin necessary: yes
there are no overlaps between courses
there are enough credit points for physiology and pathophysiology
- the fact that auditoria and laboratories are often located at great
distances is not felt to be too difficult
The meeting with potential employers: they stressed the enormous need of highlyeducated pharmacists. They would only hire "masters", not "bachelors"
(Bachelor of Pharmacy)
Recommendations
To the government of LU:
• It is necessary to apply for the increase of admission of the state
paid pharmacy students to follow the needs of industry of Latvia. • To
find resources to increase stipends for master and doctoral students.
General conclusions
The curriculum and programmes are well designed and well
comparable to the curricula in pharmacy faculties in the European Union.
General recommendations
To accredit the curriculum and programs of Bachelor degree in pharmacy in the
University of Latvia for 6 (six) years.
Prof.dr. E. Van Marck
15.10.2002
Evaluation (accreditation) of the University of Latvia (LU)
Curriculum and programs of the Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Faculty of
Medicine
Individual report of professor Lembit Allikmets, University of Tartu
I, as well as other members of accreditation commission made side visits to the LU during two
days, October 14 and 15,2002, had meetings with Vice-rector, Dean, Vice-dean, Faculty members,
librarians, students, future employers etc. Also several facilities 4r»the departments and institutes
were showed us. All needed info about the aims, organization, management, structure of curriculum,
annotation, essentials of programs were given to us in very detailed and informative way. Professor
Ruta Muceniece, director of Pharmacy division was given us any information we asked.
1. Goals and aims of the curriculum.
The aim is to master during 3 years the basic knowledge on the level of academic Bachelor's degree
of higher education in the field of pharmacy, to continue further in master studies (2 years) and
doctoral studies (3 years). Programme started in year 2000 and now the first students are studying on
the third course.
2. Structure and division of the curriculum.
The curriculum for 3 years is divided into 3 blocks (A, B and C). Block A consists of basic and
pharmaceutical courses, given according to EU directives - 76 credit points. Block B consists of
elective courses up to 40 credit points, among which students have to take at least 22 credit points.
Among A and B disciplines biological and medical sciences include 35 - 40%, pharmaceutical
science 30%, chemistry about 20%, others 10 - 12%. In the block C are the optional courses students
can choose from the other faculties of LU to enlarge the general education: philosophy, psychology,
legislation, economics, cosmetics etc. Research elements are used in teaching. The whole
curriculum, including Bachelor dissertations at least 120 credit points. In the teaching process several
other faculties of the LU take part: physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, language center. The
professionalism of the whole teaching faculty seems to be on a good level and also the institutes
were the students work. Groups include 8-10 students. The load of teaching is divided quite
equally between 6 semesters, and the number of exams is satisfactory divided through
semesters. Research activity among faculty members is good, especially in pharmacology,
chemistry, pathophysiology etc.
3. Involvement of students in to research.
The students are participating in practical laboratory exercises in the Biomedical center in
pathophysiology, pharmacology. Many students work in research laboratories on part -time
basis.
4. Feedback, quality assurance.
All students fill out a teacher and course evaluation forms once a year or in the end of each
discipline. This info gives possibility to use it for improving the classes, curriculum and
teachers.
Conclusions
The strong points of the curriculum are:
• The program has been planned analyzing 15 - 20 European study plans in
pharmacy.
• The obligatory, elective and optional disciplines are well planned.
• There is continuously acting board of study program and also regular feedback with
students.
• Students have actively performing self government.
• All the disciplines have detailed programs.
• The use of guest lectures is regular.
• The topics proposed for Bachelor dissertations are planned at time.
• The qualification and research activity of the faculty is high, to consider the
division started in 2 years ago
• Good cooperation with partner universities in Uppsala, Rostock and others. Most of
teachers have regularly worked abroad.
• Increasing competition in admission of new students.
• There: are good institutions doing molecular, biological, pharmacological,
pharmaceutical research in Riga to teach and to engage the pharmaceutists after
graduation to academic work.
The week points are:
• Still more than half of students pay tuition (400 LVL annually)
•
Very few doctoral students in pharmacy and the admission of students to
pharmacy branch in Latvia is too small to consider the needs of growing
pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
• Low salaries of young teachers at the LU.
• Teaching staff has very high load of auditorial work (800 to 1000 hours annually)
• Insufficient financing of the study programs, especially in supplying technical
equipment for teaching and research
Recommendations
To the government of LU:
• It seems necessary to apply for the increase of admission of the state paid
pharmacy students to follow the needs of industry of Latvia.
• To find resources to increase stipends for master and doctoral students.
General conclusions
The curriculum and programs are well designed and well comparable to the curricula in
pharmacy faculties in the European Union.
General recommendations
To accredit the curriculum and programs of Bachelor degree in pharmacy in the
University of Latvia for 6 (six) years.
Professor Lembit Allikmets University of Tartu