A Whole New Experience - 13th IPSF APPS

The 13th IPSF Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) was held in Malaysia on 22/8/14 to 28/8/14. The 7 days 6 nights event comprised of informative symposiums, inspiring workshops, entertaining social nights would have made it an unforgettable memories for participants across Asia Pacific including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Sudan and Algeria.

Day 0

The event marked its start with the inaugural welcoming party in the ballroom of Seri Pacific 5 Stars Hotel, providing the warmest hospitality to the participants and the most amazing experience to the participants taste buds with an international cuisine buffet. It was followed by a gimmicks and a few ice breakers.

One of the ice breakers when they have to stand on a very smal piece of card board.

Day 1

It was officially started with an opening ceremony attended by honorable guests including Datuk Nancy Ho, President of Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society, Deans from School of Pharmacy from different Universities in Malaysia and other guests. A flag ceremony was held to welcome participants from different countries.

Professor Dr P. T. Thomas and Reception Committee from Taylor's University

After the symposium given by various speakers expertise in fields such as personalized medicine and pharmacy practice, the day marked its end with an enriching "International Night". It was a social event where participants from different countries brought food and tit bits representing their culture and also had performances which were really an eye-opener for the audience.

Participants from Malaysia!
(Credits to Nash Rahman)

Traditional Dance from Korean.
(Credits to Tan Zhi Shan)

Performance from Japan eventually became the champion of the night.
(Credits to Tan Zhi Shan)

Day 2

The highlighted sessions of the Day 2 were the variety of workshop prepared such as Scientific Poster Exhibition, Patient Counselling Event, Suppository Workshop, Medical Apps Workshop, Halal Pharmaceutics Workshop, workshop about Pfizer and Innovation. In addition, all participants were able to enjoy and witness the cultural diversity of Malaysia through a specially prepared Malaysia Cultural Workshop where the participants had chances to play traditional games, try traditional cloth from different ethnics in Malaysia and most importantly make traditional food such as curry puff on their own!

Cultural Workshop featuring traditional Malay musical instrument.
(Credits to Nash Rahman)

Day 3

The first of its kind "Pharmazing Race" was no doubt one of the best feature in APPS where participants had the chance to wander through the streets and lanes of Kuala Lumpur as well as experience of using Malaysia integrated railway system to travel around. They have left their footsteps across Batu Caves, Central Market, National Mosque, Botanic Garden and Independence Square. After the race, they prepared the materials and visual aids needed for Public Health Campaign awaiting them in the next day.

Batu Caves station, 272 steps conquered!

Central Market, a collection of arts.

Volunteer from national mosque giving the participants a guided tour.
(Credits to Shaeh Cai Ying)

Orchid Garden, where future pharmacists meet nature!
(Credits to Shaeh Cai Ying)

Race ended! Independence!
(Credits to Brian Wong)

Day 4

Another challenging and meaningful moment for the participants as well as the reception committees was the Public Health Campaign, spreading anti-tobacco messages in form of street parade across Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle Area. They collected car honks from the motorists as a sign of support, played Truth or Myth game with smokers, showing placard and giant cigarette. A booth was also set up at Plaza Sungai Wang as a follow up point for those who need further consultation. The most interesting part was a flash mob in front of Lot 10 was performed by the participants, to further attract the audience and promote awareness on the risks of smoking.

Ready to go!

Participants promoting anti-tobacco awareness.
(Credits to Nash Rahman)

A group photo after the flash mob.

Although there were some disgruntled and provocative responses from certain smokers due to perceived threat on their rights on smoking, but generally the campaign was really a success. One of the reception committee (Jenning Yeong) witnessed a heart warming moment where a young-ling insisted his father to stop smoking. When being asked whether he knew about the danger of smoking, the young-ling said he didn't know about it, but insisted his father to stop smoking simply because "I know it is not good."

After the campaign, participants were dispersed to enjoy their free night.

Day 5

After the enlightening symposium and Regional Assembly, it finally came to an end of the event. The Gala Night together with closing ceremony was held at Saloma Bistro. During the closing ceremony, awards were given to the winners of various competition held during APPS such as Best Scientific Poster Competition, Clinical Skill Event, Patient Counselling Event and Pharmazing Race. It was also announced that the 14th IPSF APPS will be held at Pattaya, Thailand. 

Saloma Bistro

Jenning and his group became the 1st runner up of "Pharmazing Race"

All good thing must come to an end.
(Credits to Mae and William Photography)

Finally, Viva La Pharmacie! 

May all the memory of the friendship formed in this encounter will be everlasting.

Editor's Notes:
A great congratulation and thanks to Malaysian Pharmacy Students' Society (MyPsa) and the Reception Committee for organizing this event. It is definitely a successful event, making it possible for pharmacy students from different countries to cross each other path. I am really grateful to have all these incredibly amazing encounter in these period. These people are really wonderful and I shall keep the memories everlasting deep in my heart.

I would like also like to express my gratitude to Nash Rahman, Tan Zhi Shan, Shaeh Cai Ying, Brian Wong as well as Mae and William Photography. for generously contributing the mentioned photos in this post.

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