Mumbai, Sep 11 (RBI): At the recently announced awards by the University of Mumbai, on the occasion of Teacher's Day, September 5, Aldel Education Trust’s St John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Palghar, was selected as the Best College in Rural Area for Academic Year 2022-23. This award with the trophy, certificate and a cash prize of Rs 50,000 was received ceremoniously at the hands of former vice chancellor Prof Dr Suhas Pednekar, vice chancellor Prof Ravindra Kulkarni, pro-vice chancellor principal Dr Ajay Bhamare and director-board of examinations Dr Prasad Karande. The award distribution ceremony was part of the Teacher's Day celebrations at the Vidyanagari Kalina campus of the University of Mumbai. The award was received by treasurer of Aldel Education Trust Elaine D’Souza Buthello along with principal Dr (Mrs) Savita J Tauro and associate Prof Dr Norma Rebello.
The award is indeed a remarkable achievement for St John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, part of the well-known multi-disciplinary St John Technical and Educational campus located at Palghar, Maharashtra.
Established in 2008 with the BPharm programme, the institute has grown leaps and bounds adding the Diploma in Pharmacy programme in 2013 followed by masters in pharmacy programmes from 2018. In its tenth Academic Year, 2017-18, the institute completed its first cycle of accreditation by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) and also had the BPharm programme accredited by NBA (National Board of Accreditation). In its 15th academic year, 2022-23, the institute successfully completed the second cycle of NAAC accreditation securing grade A with a CGPA of 3.08.
The institute is well-known for its academic merit at the University of Mumbai and students qualify GPAT and NIPER examinations with excellent all India ranks. The research acumen of faculty has brought laurels to the institute with awards won at the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) in January 2023 as well as the recently concluded APTICON, the annual convention of the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India in September 2023. Faculty has to their credit several publications with good impact factor as also book chapters.
With a good balance of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities students have secured awards at the Youth Festival of University of Mumbai in several events as well as Rx events conducted by the Indian Pharmaceutical Association – Maharashtra State Branch.
Overall holistic development of students is the key to the success of the Institute which is evident from the placement statistics as well as the vibrant alumni.
This success is the combined outcome of the constant support and encouragement from the chairman Albert W D’Souza, secretary Elvina D’Souza, treasurer Elaine D’Souza Buthello and trustee member Aldridge D’Souza of Aldel Education Trust, management and campus team; the untiring efforts and teamwork of teaching and non-teaching staff; the enthusiasm and hard work of students and the conviction of all its collaborators and stakeholders.