Hopes dashed for pharmacy degree

HAVING just obtained a diploma in pharmacy at a private college with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of above 3.8 , I was looking forward to furthering my studies and getting a degree in pharmacy.

I made enquiries and applied to a few colleges. The colleges which told me at first that I could take a degree in pharmacy later sent me a letter offering a different course.

They explained that the pharmacy boards new rules state that in order to pursue a degree in pharmacy, one must have a diploma with a CGPA of above 3.8, and a minimum of Grade B in five science subjects in the SPM: Additional Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

I was not accepted for a degree programme because I did not score a B in one of those five subjects.

Earlier, when my fellow students and I signed up for the diploma course, we were accepted with credits in those subjects, and told that enrolment for a degree programme would be based on the diploma CGPA only.

We have studied for three years to obtain the diploma and now it seems that all our hard work is worthless.

Last year, the pharmacy board stated that no credit transfer would be allowed for diploma holders wishing to pursue a degree in pharmacy. After completing a three-year diploma in pharmacy, one is required to study another four years to obtain a degree in pharmacy.

I hope the pharmacy board will kindly reconsider and allow diploma holders with a CGPA of above 3.8 to pursue a degree in pharmacy.

DISAPPOINTED

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Hopes dashed for pharmacy degree