Events

 Amity Institute of Pharmacy (AIP) organised an Oral Cancer Awareness Program on the occasion of World Cancer Day on Tuesday, 4^th February 2025 at Sudhagadh Education Society’s High School, Bhatan, Panvel, Maharashtra. Program started with the felicitation of senior faculty of high school Mrs Gaikwad by Prof. (Dr.) Suneela Dhaneshwar, Director, AIP. Dr Suneela addressed the students & explained to them importance of understanding the seriousness of cancer, its early diagnosis and ways to prevent it. Students of B. Pharm Semester II had prepared colorful pictorial posters through which they discussed the signs, symptoms, causes, prevention of oral cancer in a very effective, interactive and easy to understand manner to which the students connected very well. Four posters were presented in front of the high school students followed by question-answer session. The students promised that they would definitely talk with their friends, parents and relatives about oral cancer and also about avoiding use of tobacco, cigarettes, gutkha which are major precipitating factors of oral cancer. Program was anchored by Mr Faizal Ansari and concluded with vote of thanks by Ms Nofit Dighodkar.

Objectives of program:

·         To create awareness about oral cancer and its risk factors (e.g., tobacco use, alcohol consumption, HPV infection).

·         To educate students and the community about the importance of early detection and prevention.

·         To encourage healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of oral cancer.

·         To empower students to become advocates for cancer awareness in their communities.

Behavioral Impact:

All the high school students realized the harmful effects of abuse of  habit forming tobacco, cigarettes, gutkha and  expressed interest in sharing their newly found knowledge about oral cancer with family and friends.

Feedback:

Positive feedback was received from highschool teachers, who appreciated the student’s efforts and the program's educational value. This entire event was conceptualized & convened by Prof Dr Suneela Dhaneshwar and well-coordinated by Dr. Pankaj Bhamare, Assistant Professor, AIP, AUM.

Conclusion:

The oral cancer awareness program successfully achieved its objectives by engaging high school students as active participants and B Pharm II Sem students as educators. The event not only raised awareness about oral cancer & it’s devastating effects but also inspired behavioural changes with respect to oral hygiene and community involvement. This outreach initiative served as a model for future health awareness campaigns, demonstrating the power of youth-led advocacy in addressing public health issues.

Recommendations:

·         Incorporate similar awareness programs into the school curriculum to sustain long-term impact.

·         Collaborate with local healthcare providers for regular oral health check-ups and screenings.

·         Use digital platforms (e.g., social media) to amplify the reach of cancer awareness campaigns.

·         Provide training for students to become peer educators on health-related topics.

Point wise Outcome Report:

1)      What was the Inspiration behind taking up this Particular Subject for the Programme? 

The main objective behind this was to educate students and the community about the importance of early detection and prevention of oral cancer because it was observed that the youth of rural areas is unaware of the devastating effects of abuse of tobacco, cigarettes and gutkha, the major drivers of oral cancer.

2)      Who were the Distinguished Guest Speakers Invited for the Event. Kindly give their Names. Designations, Organisation, Qualifications, Area of Expertise and any Honours and Awards received by them.

Prof. (Dr) Suneela Dhaneshwar, Director, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Mumbai, Maharashtra, addressed all the students of highschool on the current need of oral cancer awareness, followed by poster presentations by B. Pharm Semester II students.

3)      What was the Criteria Considered for inviting the Various Individual Guests, Internal as well as External? 

The pharmacy students were deliberately involved in the oral cancer awareness campaign in order to emphasize upon them that they are the most significant part of the healthcare system and the important role they can play as community pharmacists.  They were guided for preparation of posters by Dr Pankaj. Four posters were presented by B Pharm Semester II students which were well received. The principal of the school requested that the four posters made by BPharm students may be donated to school so that students can refer to them from time to time.  Event was very informative and interesting. Valuable experience and suggestions were shared by Prof. (Dr) Suneela Dhaneshwar with the students.

4)      Were the guests in advance and if yes, from what previous interaction?  Were the guests recommended by someone. If yes, who?  

Not applicable.

5)      Who all attended the program? Also, if possible, give the numbers.  

All the 70 students of Sudhagadh Education Society’s Highschool and 12 students of first year B. Pharm, 4 faculty members & Director AIP attended the program. List of attendees is given below:

6)      What were the ‘Take Homes’ for the Guests and the Attendees in the form of knowledge, facts, information etc.? Please give the Salient Novel Points Covered by the Guest Speakers, in Bullet Points Format. 

·         Cancer, causes, death rates,early diagnosis, treatment

·          Oral hygiene, oral cancer, causative agents, signs, symptoms, prevention and treatment

·         Need to create awareness among the peers, friends, family and relatives and community in general.

7)      Has the Webinar been able to generate any Tangible Gains for the Faculty, Researchers and Students of Amity. If yes, what are these?  

Yes, definitely program was very insightful with respect to healthcare management in oral cancer. Indirectly we could also market our BPharm Program newly started at AUM which might be helpful in future admissions.

8)      What are the ‘Progressive Outcomes /Way Forward’ planned, based on the event of the event. Please give them pointwise, with timelines and names of the persons responsible for their execution.

Students displayed creative ideas in posters and demonstrated their scientific enthusiasm in program, which is very much appreciable.

9)      Have we Followed-Up with the Guests to consider Various Collaborations such as Joint Research Papers and Publications; Joint Funded Projects; Student Internships and Placements; Participation in National/ International Seminars/Conferences,/Workshops ; Student/Faculty Exchange Programmes ; Post Doctorate tie ups etc.   

Future collaboration is recommended with local healthcare providers for regular oral health check-ups and screenings across local areas nearby Amity University Maharashtra.

10)  What are the plans for utilizing the contacts developed with the Invited Guests, for future cooperation to meet the targets of ‘Mission: Connect’ and Mission: Synergy of Brains? Please give a roadmap with timelines.  

Not applicable.

Felicitation of senior faculty of high school Mrs. Gaikwad by Prof. (Dr.) Suneela Dhaneshwar, Director, AIP