Events

Amity Institute of Pharmacy (AIP) organized Ami-Pharma-Inspire an event comprising of a webinar on Inspiring Journey of Entrepreneurs followed by Workshop cum Demonstration on Quality Control of Tablets on Friday, 2^nd May 2025 at Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Maharashtra, Mumbai. The webinar was conducted online on MS Teams platform while the workshop was conducted in the Machine Room of AIP, AUM.

The webinar was inaugurated by virtual lighting of lamp.  Prof. (Dr.) Suneela Dhaneshwar, Director, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, AUM welcomed the gathering and gave an overview of the event.  Hon. Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) AW Santhosh Kumar delivered the inaugural address and emphasized upon the numerous opportunities for pharmacy students in early start ups and the importance of entrepreneurship.  Prof. (Dr.) Bhawana Sharma, Professor & Director of International Affairs, Chief Mentor E Cell explained the vision, mission and activities of Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) at Amity University Maharashtra and presented the objectives and a brief overview of Ami-Emerge’2025 program and activities that various institutes are undertaking to inspire the students to become campuspreuners.

An ice-breaker talk was delivered by Dr. Rahul Phate, Founder & Director of Mrunalini’s Ayurveda Pvt Ltd and Rahul Phate’s Innovations on “Rahul Phate’s startup journey” followed by 15 min Q&A. He explained the students on how he started the formulations of Ayurvedic medicines but challenges in this field forced him to shift into cosmeceuticals due to non-acceptance by Ayurvedic Practitioners. He emphasized the importance of learning the fundamentals first before starting for the deep tech startup journey and was able to launch many products first time in India including scalp cleaner, hair moisturiser, Trichoceuticals etc. He explained the potentials of natural products like arginine over the androgen stimulation-based cosmeceuticals. He very lucidly explained the need for research-based cosmeceuticals over the me-too cosmetics. Dr Rahul Phate is not only an entrepreneur but also a passionate academician, researcher, Spiritual Practitioner and educator to many beauty parlour owners having no science background. This made him stand out as a unique Pharmacist who would be the role model for students as well as faculties. During Q&A session he suggested to teach application first and then theory so that students will understand better and given simple answers to the complex questions.

The second session was led by Dr. Anwar Daud, Managing Director of Zim Laboratories Ltd. Dr. Daud shared his Entrepreneurship Journey and explained how he started the company in 1989 with only Rs 75 Lakhs which now stands as a Rs 500 crores company. He described how he faced the challenges, ups and downs, many twists and turns with a passion to deliver affordable medicines without compromising the quality at Nagpur. Currently employing more than 1000 employees and team of 100 Scientists for research and development of highly innovative products including Thin- Mouth- Disintegrating Films. Dr. Daud told students in Q&A that if we fail, we learn but we have to make sure that after failing we  try different approach during the troubleshooting otherwise, there will not be any improvement. With his wisdom of words and promise of visiting personally at AIP along with continued support from his team, the online session was concluded. The event was coordinated & anchored by Dr. Prasad Pofali who concluded the webinar with a vote of thanks.

The life journey of the two pharma entrepreneurs was absolutely inspiring for the students that ignited a spark of innovation and inquisitiveness among them.

Post- lunch session started with lab tour at machine room 7^th floor at AIP for demonstration cum workshop and quality control of tablets. Ms Neha Raghuvanshi and Dr. Prasad Pofali demonstrated the students various quality control tests as per Indian Pharmacopoeia that need to be performed in the industry for ensuring the quality of a tablet. The students then performed the tests on Marketed tablets of Paracetamol (Crocin) to get an hands on experience.

Objectives of program:

·         To ignite the spark of innovativeness and inquisitiveness among students

·         To impart the knowledge about pharma entrepreneurship opportunities

·         Generation of interest among students about becoming campuspreuners

·         Learn about incubation and support programs

·         Explore collaboration opportunities

·         Inspire entrepreneurship among students and faculties

Behavioral Impact:

Students and faculty gained exposure to real-world innovations transformed into entrepreneurship, urged them to think beyond textbooks and engage in creative problem-solving. Listening to the actual journey, challenges, hurdles from the entrepreneurs impacted the audience and emphasized on them the need to develop the entrepreneurship mindset to build belief in their own capabilities to innovate and take initiative to select entrepreneurship as career path.

Feedback:

Feedback by students

Students from AIP were particularly impressed by the emphasis on research and innovation required to build deep tech startups, using innovations which ignited curiosity and encouraged them to explore new dimensions of their career path. The interactive Q&A session was also well-received, allowing students to clarify doubts and gain valuable insights. Overall, students described the workshop as inspiring and eye-opener, a perfect blend of academic learning and real-world application, encouraging to think beyond textbooks and focus on community impact as job givers instead of job seekers, a great motivation to pursue startup journey with a renewed sense of purpose.

Feedback by Guest speakers

Both the speakers appreciated and welcomed the idea of organizing a webinar for first year students on the theme of entrepreneurship and felt that an early exposure to the entrepreneurial journey of pharma innovators was a right path to create interest & ignite the young minds.

Dr. Rahul Phate mentioned that it was heartening to interact with such a vibrant and inquisitive group of budding pharmacists.  Dr. Rahul Phate also emphasized that such interactive and thought-provoking platforms are crucial in shaping future-ready students who are not only academically sound but also socially responsible.

Dr. Anwar Daud particularly suggested that the audience to not to be afraid to take the risk at an early age as most of the entrepreneurs believed in themselves and started their journey in 19-24 yrs age. He quoted that it’s always better to start early and fail early.  He said that from many failures,  you find an innovative way to tackle the problems, but it requires patience and passion.  

Both distinguished speakers showed their keenness and interest to provide support to AIP students for training and placements in the later stage.  Dr Anwar daud expressed his willingness to help in establishing a pilot manufacturing plant at AI in future.

Conclusion:

The webinar proved to be highly enriching and inspiring experience for the students at Amity Institute of Pharmacy. The session successfully bridged the gap between academia and industry as also between theoretical knowledge and real-world practice, offering valuable insights into the evolving role of pharmacists in the healthcare system as entrepreneurs. The talks delivered by Dr. Rahul Phate and Dr. Anwar Daud not only emphasized the importance of regular studies and ethical responsibility but also highlighted the significance of research, innovation, and continuous learning in the field of pharmacy for entrepreneurship. Their interaction with the students fostered a renewed sense of purpose, compassion, and professionalism among AIP students. The demonstration cum workshop on quality control of tablets provided a platform for students to understand the use and working of the machines required in pharmaceutical industries. Instruments such as vernier calliper for measuring the length and thickness of uncoated tablets, weighing balance for weight variation, hardness tester for measuring the breaking force of tablet and disintegration test apparatus for measuring disintegration time. Friabilator was demonstrated using 10 tablets to understand the wear and tear during transportation of tablets. All tests were performed as per compendial requirements.  In conclusion, all quality tests were useful for the students to understand the importance of pharmacopeial standards for tablets, the concept of purity, the applications of instruments in solid oral dosage forms. The session encouraged students to reflect on their role beyond the classroom and embrace their responsibilities as future healthcare providers and entrepreneurship through owners of startups by sharing their life journeys. Overall, the event served as a powerful reminder of the profound impact pharmacists can have on individual lives and society at large.

Recommendations:

·      One-day webinar on “Inspiring Journey of Entrepreneurs followed by Demonstration on Quality Control of Tablets” was highly impactful, informative, and well-received by students and faculty alike. It is strongly recommended that such insightful sessions be conducted on a regular basis to further enrich students’ academic and professional development.

·      This workshop served as a powerful platform to broaden students' horizons beyond classroom learning and instilled in them a deeper understanding of their role in the startup ecosystem.

·      Future workshops and technical training sessions should continue to focus on integrating theoretical knowledge with practical exposure, inspiring students to pursue excellence in ideation, validation, and commercialization of products through entrepreneurship.

·      Additionally, it is recommended to expand the scope of such lectures by including interdisciplinary themes, interactive components, and collaboration with industry and academic experts. This will ensure a more holistic learning experience and better prepare students for the dynamic demands of the pharmacy profession.

Point-wise Outcome Report:

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

The inspiration behind selecting the topic “Inspiring Journey of Entrepreneurs followed by Demonstration on Quality Control of Tablets” stemmed from the need to bridge the gap between academia and industry and real-world professional responsibilities in the field of pharmacy. The aim was to help students realize the concept of entrepreneurship and demonstrate the paths towards their own startup building using deep tech innovations.

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.

a)      Dr. Rahul Phate – M Pharm PhD in Pharmacology and renowned cosmetologist. Dr. Phate has decided to enter the field of Skin and hair care with the strong support of Mrs. Mrunalini Phate in 1999. Started a business career with the first Ayurvedic Industry ‘Mrunalini’s Special Herbs’ which was a partnership firm, in Nashik district, with research-based Ayurvedic formulations for skin and hair care. Further Started Tejoprabha Beauty & Health Pvt. Ltd. In 2001, for expanding the business in the field of cosmeceuticals, Trichoceuticals, and Nutraceuticals where the workout with research-based Health Care products started as well. The next big step of Business development was starting the second Industry for manufacturing Cosmeceuticals at ‘Mrunalini’s Ayurveda Pvt Ltd.’ In 2005. Multiple Research based cosmetics were made in this industry. Rahul Phate’s Nutraceutical Research products were started in 2018 when the step of nutrition was introduced to the beauty world, where the concept of wellness is attached to the cosmetic industry.

b)      Dr. Anwar Daud, founder Zim Laboratories Ltd, a Pharmaceutical Formulation Manufacturing Company in 1989. Currently he is the Chairman and Managing Director of the company which is focused on New Drug Delivery Systems, Manufacturing Process Technologies and Complex Generics. He is an alumnus of Dept of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagpur and NIMS University, Jaipur. Dr. Daud started his Professional career with a brief stint as Development Scientist. He then returned to Nagpur, his birthplace in 1987 and co-founded Zim Laboratories Ltd. Today the company has grown from a local player with an initial strength of 15 employees to Central India’s Premier Pharmaceutical company making several novel formulation products at multi-locational manufacturing facilities and not only with a domestic footprint but also presence in 55 countries spread over emerging markets in Asia, MENA, Latin America, SEA and CIS & Russia. Zim Laboratories Ltd today is a mid-sized pharmaceutical company employing more than 1000 personnel and having manufacturing sites with EU and WHO GMP Certifications amongst several country accreditations

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

    External? 

The experience, proven prototypes as well as commercialised products, impressive industrial and research profile and standing in the scientific community.

4) Were the guests informed in advance and if yes, from what previous interaction?  Were the guests    

    recommended by someone. If yes, who?  

    Yes, the speakers were informed in advance. Dr Rahul Phate and Dr. Anwar Daud’s s name was recommended by Prof (Dr.) Suneela Dhaneshwar, Director, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Maharashtra, Mumbai. Dr Suneela and the speakers share the same alma mater of Dept of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagpur University. She has also collaborated with both as a researcher, examiner and resource person at various scientific platforms, conferences and seminars.

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

The 12 students of first year B. Pharm (AIP) and 6 faculty members and the Director of AIP attended the guest lecture.

    List of attendees as given here under.

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.     

·         Do not just be Pharmacists by qualification but become a job giver instead of job seeker by becoming an entrepreneur.

·         Beauty is not superficial and lies deep within & to address the problems associated with skin and scalp health research-based approach is a must rather than copying the international brands.

·         Using our indigenous herbs and  traditional ayurvedic knowledge we can innovate into safe and effective remedies.

·         Development of entrepreneurial spirit and passion through a systematic guidance from mentors like Dr. Rahul Phate and Dr. Anwar Daud is needed to help individuals for building their own business through innovations.

7) Has the Guest lecture been able to generate any Tangible Gains for the Faculty, Researchers and  

    Students of Amity. If yes, what are these?  

Yes, session was very insightful with respect to real-world impact of entreprenerd knowledge, the      evolving responsibilities of pharmacists, and the role we play as healthcare professionals.

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.

Introduction of startups awareness program, student mentorship & career guidance sessions, collaboration with research institutes & industrial visits, entrepreneurial support from mentors.

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.   

   Yes, future collaborations with Dr Rahul Phate Innovations and Zim Laboratories Ltd for mentorship on startups and participation in various workshops and student/faculty exchange program have been discussed. Technical training to educate students on cosmeceuticals and Trichoceuticals was discussed. Also, both speakers are interested to visit in person at AIP to extend their support for grooming institute.

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.  

Increasing future collaborations for student research interest to carry out next levels of advanced offline workshops, hands on trainings, utilization of research lab facilities for innovation and research for betterment of effective therapeutic and diagnostic solutions through entrepreneurship.