“Three Pharmacy Students from Riga Stradins University Awarded JSC Olainfarm Scholarships for Excellence in Pharmaceutical Studies”

Three 4th-year pharmacy students of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Riga Stradins University (RSU) won the 1400 euro scholarship provided by the pharmaceutical company JSC “Olainfarm” in the annual competition – Anete Vircava from Salaspils, Anna Novosada from Daugavpils and Jūlija Gurinovića from Ventspils. The “Olainfarm” scholarship has been awarded to the brightest pharmaceutical students for the 13th year in order to promote excellence in the Latvian pharmaceutical industry.

“Knowledge in pharmacy gives young people fantastic career opportunities – starting with the very responsible work of a pharmacist in a pharmacy, and ending with work in science, drug registration and development of new drugs. Young people’s interest in the field of pharmacy is extremely important both for the development of the pharmaceutical industry and for the general health of society, as a pharmacist is often the first person we turn to when we have any signs of illness or want to improve our health. Therefore, I am happy for every pharmacy student and especially pleased with their excellent achievements in studies, which will allow us to promote excellence in the Latvian pharmaceutical industry,” says Juris Bundulis, chairman of the board of JSC “Olainfarm”.

All three scholarship holders, whose average grade is above nine points, associate the broad job opportunities and research work in the profession of pharmacist. Their interest in the industry arose due to the influence of their family, as one of their relatives works in health care.

4th year student Anete Vircava from Salaspils admits that she mainly relies on logical thinking and understanding in the learning process. Already in high school, he was fascinated by chemistry and biology, and his older brother, who also studied in the same industry, also developed an interest in pharmacy. The choice was also determined by the desire to help people. Anete admits that currently she is most connected to work in the laboratory, so she is happy about the opportunity to go on an internship at “Olainfarm” in the near future, which will allow her to get to know the drug production process, especially research, and will also help her decide in which field to specialize. Along with her studies, she has already gained her first experience in research, by conducting a study with her colleagues at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry of RSU on a new method of sterilization of hydrogels containing drugs. Also, she gains practical experience by combining her studies with the work of a senior laboratory assistant at Riga Stradins University.

On the other hand, 4th-year pharmacy student Anna Novosadas from Daugavpils not only has high success in her studies, but she is also active in the Latvian Pharmacy Students Association and represents the interests of local students in Europe. Anna’s interest in pharmacy developed in her childhood, because her mother is a pharmacist. In parallel with her studies, Anna works as a laboratory assistant in the Pharmaceutical Pharmacology Laboratory of the Institute of Organic Synthesis, and it is in this workplace that she recently conducted research, studying the role of the Sigma-1 receptor in the development of brain dysfunction after a head injury. For this research, this year she won the first place at the student conference in the pharmacology branch as part of the “RSU Research Week”. The young woman plans to continue her doctoral studies, combining them with work as a pharmacist in a pharmacy. She has no doubts that she will be able to do it, because she is already successfully combining work in the laboratory with her studies.

4th year student Jūlija Gurinović from Ventspils has been connected to the field of health care since childhood, inspired by her mother, a family doctor. Julia is already combining her studies with work at the pharmacy. She is pleased that despite the fact that she is still a student, she has managed to gain people’s trust and they are happy to turn to her for advice. She has worked both in a pharmacy in Ventspils and in a pharmacy in Riga, concluding that empathy is very important in the work of a pharmacist. She believes that, in general, society undervalues ​​the profession of pharmacist and pharmacists’ extensive knowledge of medicines, their effects, use and preparation of medicines.

“Olainfarm” scholarships have been awarded to RSU Faculty of Pharmacy students since 2011. The competition for scholarships is held jointly with the RSU Alumni Association, evaluating both the grades of young pharmacists and the performance of students in research and science. The purpose of the scholarship is to financially support the most talented students, as well as to give them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with career opportunities in the industry and in the company already during their studies. “Olainfarm” annually awards three scholarships to final-year students of the RSU Faculty of Pharmacy, and also provides internship opportunities. Scholars are determined by competition, the average grade must be above 7.5 points.

Promoting the development of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, “Olainfarm” has also created a scholarship for future chemistry teachers, which was presented for the first time this year. “Olainfarm” will invest 75,000 euros in the support of young chemistry teachers for the next five years.