THE Sydney Pharmacy School (SPS) recently hosted the Sydney Pharmacy First Nations student camp, with the aim of encouraging those currently in years 9-11 to study pharmacy at the University of Sydney.
Six students stayed at St Andrew's College and the Not on My Watch consultancy team was engaged to support the students during their stay at the camp.
Various activities on-site at SPS gave the students a taste of pharmacy at USyd, including making a cream.
A scholarship information session was conducted by Sydney Future Students and current SPS First Nations student ambassadors (Amirah, Jazmyn, Isaac and Noah), together with a tour of the university's Gadigal Centre.
Students experienced visits to external sites, including Pfizer Australia, Westmead Hospital, Webstercare and Emerton Pharmacy, and went on a Redfern walking tour with Aunty Donna.
First Nations SPS student ambassadors were key to the success of the camp, along with camp organisers Prof Rebekah Moles, Wiradjuri man Dr Alex Burke, Dr Jack Collins and Dr Susan Welch.
Deputy head of school and camp facilitator Professor Rebekah Moles said, "The camp was a roaring success for both students and staff involved."
"I know that we have opened the possibility of studying pharmacy and studying at Sydney for these students, and I can't wait to see them again and meet next year's crew," she enthused.
At present, only 0.4% of the pharmacist workforce identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
An increase to 3.43% would help provide culturally safe healthcare, according to the Department of Health National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021-31. KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 20 Feb 26
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 20 Feb 26
