On March 28, 2025, a Round Table was held at the S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, with the participation of the Department of Science and Human Resources of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, faculty members of the School of Pharmacy, heads and representatives of medical colleges from the republic, on the topic “Integration of Education, Science, and Practice in Pharmacy.”

The aim of the event was to improve the quality of pharmaceutical education by ensuring continuity of educational programs: Technical and Vocational Education (TVE), Bachelor’s, and Postgraduate education.

Main discussion topics:

• Analysis of the educational program (EP) 6B10104 – “Pharmacy” at S.D. Asfendiyarov KazNMU
• Presentation of the textbook “Pharmacognosy” for students of colleges and universities under the “Pharmacy” program
• Educational-methodological block: publication of textbooks and educational-methodological materials for colleges and universities on key pharmaceutical disciplines:
• “Technology of Dosage Forms Manufacturing”
• “Organization of Pharmaceutical Affairs”
• “Pharmaceutical Chemistry”
• Discussion of the issue of increasing academic qualifications of college teachers for the Master’s program at S.D. Asfendiyarov KazNMU
• Continuity of scientific research across educational levels to ensure the goals of sustainable development in pharmacy
• Career orientation for graduates of pharmaceutical departments in colleges to enter the Bachelor’s program 6B10104 – “Pharmacy.”

Round Table Format: Discussion of the development plan for the 6B10104 “Pharmacy” educational program, considering the integrated approach to the continuity of educational programs at three levels: Technical and Vocational Education – Higher Education – Postgraduate Education.

Pharmacy plays a key role in improving public health and quality of life. Modern pharmacy is not just the field of manufacturing, producing, and selling pharmaceutical products; it is a dynamic field requiring deep knowledge, a scientific approach, and high professional training.

During the event, all issues on the Round Table agenda were discussed, and a thorough analysis of the educational program 6B10104 – “Pharmacy” at S.D. Asfendiyarov KazNMU was conducted, considering the principle of continuity across educational levels: Technical and Vocational Education (TVE), Bachelor’s, and Postgraduate education.

As a result of the joint work, the participants agreed on the following:

• Joint participation of S.D. Asfendiyarov KazNMU and the medical colleges of the Republic of Kazakhstan in implementing state policies on intersectoral coordination in medical and pharmaceutical education and fostering the development of scientific and innovative healthcare activities;
• Effective cooperation between colleges and universities in the field of pharmaceutical education to reduce the gap between secondary and higher education and create a unified educational space;
• Ongoing improvement of pharmaceutical education quality by considering the integrated approach to continuity across educational programs at three levels: Technical and Vocational Education (college) – Higher Education – Postgraduate Education (PGE);
• Publishing textbooks/educational-methodological materials in Kazakh and Russian languages for students of medical and pharmaceutical colleges and universities under the “Pharmacy” program;
• Creating working groups of university teachers with experience at the TVE level and senior college teachers to write textbooks on pharmaceutical fields “Technology of Dosage Forms Manufacturing,” “Organization of Pharmaceutical Affairs,” “Pharmaceutical Chemistry” in both Kazakh and Russian languages;
• Supporting the initiative to increase the academic qualifications of college teachers at KazNMU as a strategically important direction for the development of the educational environment;
• Organizing qualification enhancement courses at KazNMU for college faculty based on college proposals on the list of necessary disciplines and hours;
• Recommending college leaders to develop individual professional development plans for teachers, including enrollment in Master’s and Doctoral programs.

To enhance the motivation of college students to continue their professional education, ensure a reserve of personnel for the pharmaceutical industry, and strengthen continuity between educational levels, it is necessary to:

• Recognize career orientation for college graduates as a priority in the “College – Bachelor’s” system under the “Pharmacy” program;
• The School of Pharmacy should organize the “Best Pharmacist” competition among students of medical and pharmaceutical colleges specializing in “Pharmacy,” hold Open Days, educational program fairs, and organize tours of the university;
• Enhance informational support: ensure the accessibility of information about the advantages of enrolling in the Bachelor’s program, admission conditions, career growth opportunities, and distribute materials (brochures, presentations, videos) among college students, as well as conduct explanatory work about opportunities for college graduates to study in an accelerated form.

The main outcome of the Round Table was the agreement on an action plan to ensure an integrated approach to educational programs, considering their continuity:
• Confirmed the need to improve and adapt educational programs to the current requirements of pharmaceutical education and the labor market;
• Presented and approved the concept of the textbook “Pharmacognosy,” developed for students of colleges and universities in the “Pharmacy” field;
• Identified priority areas for publishing textbooks and educational-methodological materials for core pharmaceutical disciplines, which will help improve the quality of specialist training;
• Discussed mechanisms for increasing the academic qualifications of college teachers, including through Master’s programs at KazNMU;
• Emphasized the importance of ensuring continuity in scientific research at all educational levels to achieve sustainable development goals in pharmacy;
• Identified key aspects of career orientation for graduates of pharmaceutical departments in colleges, which will facilitate their further education in the Bachelor’s program 6B10104 – “Pharmacy.”

The resolution was adopted by the participants of the round table, which was attended by over 30 people, including a representative from the Department of Science and Human Resources of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nauryzbaeva A.S., the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Sakipova Z.B., heads and teachers of medical colleges, practical pharmacy specialists, as well as the Dean’s Office and faculty members of the School of Pharmacy at S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University.