Ganpat University Hosts Global Expert on Drug Discovery Advances in Africa: Uganda Case Study

The Faculty of Science and Faculty of Pharmacy at Ganpat University concluded a two-day inspiring International Expert Lecture Series on "Advances in Drug Discovery and Development in Africa: Case Study of Uganda". Delivered by Dr. Joseph Kibirige, Associate Faculty, Makerere University, and Clinical Pharmacist at UMC Victoria Hospital in Uganda, the session saw more than 200 students and faculty in attendance to discuss Africa's growing role in pharmaceutical innovation.

Recently held at the university's Mehsana campus in Gujarat, the event is a highlight of Ganpat University's striving toward global exposure in pharmacy and science education. For Indian students looking to get admitted to B.Pharm in 2026 or wanting to pursue research careers, it shows how top private universities bridge the gap between classroom learning and international trends.

Key Highlights from Dr. Kibirige's Lecture

Dr. Kibirige deconstructed the pharmaceutical environment in Africa, with special attention to the development of Uganda in the framework of world health needs. Participants obtained practical lessons:

• New Trends in Discovery of Drugs: The African herbal resources are powering new medicines, and Uganda is leading in natural product research.
• The Research Ecosystem of Uganda: The Regulatory framework of Uganda: National Drug Authority enables clinical trials and exports of up to $50M+ a year.
• ​Academic-Clinical-Industry Relationships: Partnerships such as Makerere-UMC ones accelerate the lab-to-market time of drug development.
• Native Leads and Translational Research: Herbal products combat diverse illnesses such as malaria by combining the traditional expertise with new technology.
• Future Opportunities: Solves global issues such as antimicrobial resistance by inviting Indian researchers to collaborate with them.

The Q&A led to brainstorming about Indian-African pharma relationships, which is in line with the India pharma market of $50b. 

​Why does this matter for pharmacy students in India? 

Global minds are required in India's pharmacy sector, as India’s pharma jobs grew ~10% in 2025, driven by AI and biosimilars (IQVIA 2025). Such events at Ganpat University prepare students pursuing B.Pharm and M.Pharm for careers related to R&D, clinical trials, and regulatory affairs in companies like Sun Pharma or Dr. Reddy's. 

This shows why Ganpat University stands among the top private pharmacy colleges in Gujarat, blending local roots with world-class exposure. By the end of the lecture, the students  were left motivated to tackle global health via indigenous innovation. In short, the 2-day event was a success. 

Note: Visit Ganpat University for pharmacy admissions 2026 or event details.