The Indian pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors with immense potential. Globally, India plays a key role as a leading exporter of affordable pharmaceuticals, reaching over 200 countries. Also, due to the wake of the pandemic, which led to a heightened demand for skilled pharma professionals, there has been a notable increase in students pursuing pharmaceutical sciences. Unfortunately, the quality of education across many institutions remains inadequate. To address this challenge and contribute to the development of capable pharma leaders for the future, Bengal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research (BCPSR) was established, meeting the diverse aspirations of today’s pharmacy students.
Bengal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research in a Nutshell
Established in 2008, BCPSR operates under the SKS Educational and Social Trust, which is one of the leading pharmacy institutions in eastern India, located in West Bengal. With a sprawling campus designed to be a center of excellence in pharmacy education and research, the college offers a learner-focused environment aimed at producing top-quality graduates.
Under the leadership of Chairman Mr. S. K. Sharma, Vice-Chairman Mr. Mayank Gautam and Principal Prof. (Dr.) Mithun Bhowmick, BCPSR has made remarkable progress. Having started with just a small batch of B.Pharm programs, since then, the college has expanded its academic offerings to include the Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) and Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) programs.
All programs at BCPSR are recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), ensuring that graduates are licensed to practice pharmacy. The college is affiliated with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT) for B.Pharm and M.Pharm courses and with the West Bengal State Council of Technical & Vocational Education & Skill Development for the D.Pharm course.
World-Class Infrastructure and Facilities for Comprehensive Learning
BCPSR takes pride in offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and top-tier facilities to create an optimal learning environment for its students. The campus boasts modern laboratories, including specialized labs in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, and Biotechnology, equipped with the latest industry-standard instruments for hands-on training. The well-stocked library, with its vast collection of books, journals, and digital resources, complements the smart classrooms and computer center, ensuring that students have access to both traditional and digital learning tools.
Additionally, BCPSR provides advanced research facilities, including dedicated labs for innovation, which are supported by publications in Scopus and other high-impact journals. The campus also includes a medicinal garden, a seminar hall, separate hostels for boys and girls, sports and recreational areas, a cafeteria, and health care and counseling services.
BCPSR’s Commitment to Research, Innovation, and Community Service
To gain a real-world understanding of BCPSR’s achievements and contributions, we had the opportunity to interview Dr. Mithun Bhowmick, Principal and Professor. Discussing the college’s emphasis on research and innovation, Dr. Bhowmick highlighted BCPSR’s accomplishments, including securing Australian and German patents in 2021 and 2022, along with several Indian patents filed and published in 2022. He also emphasized the faculty’s significant contributions to pharmaceutical research, with numerous papers and book chapters published by renowned Scopus-indexed publishers like IGI Global, Elsevier, and Nova Sciences Publishers.
Dr. Bhowmick also spoke about BCPSR’s active involvement in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) through the SWAYAM platform and its role as a Local Chapter for NPTEL (National Platform for Technology Enhanced Learning) courses. He shared, “Our students have successfully enrolled in various online courses, including Medical Biomaterial, Biotechnology, Cell Culture Technologies, and Bioenergetics of Life Processes.”
In addition to its academic endeavors, BCPSR is committed to social responsibility through various community outreach initiatives. The college regularly organizes health camps, awareness programs, and activities aimed at promoting public health, fostering a sense of compassion and service among its students.
Empowering Careers
At BCPSR, a strong emphasis is placed on enhancing student placements and fostering industry connections to prepare graduates for successful careers in the pharmaceutical field. The dedicated Training and Placement Cell plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, offering various opportunities for students to engage with top employers. Regular pre-placement training programs, including mock interviews, resume-building workshops, and soft skills training, are conducted to enhance student employability.
BCPSR collaborates with industry leaders to provide internships, industrial visits, and hands-on training programs, ensuring that students gain valuable exposure to real-world practices. The college frequently hosts guest lectures, workshops, and seminars featuring industry experts and alumni, enriching students’ learning experiences. Also, the on-campus recruitment drives invite leading pharmaceutical companies, research organizations, and healthcare institutions to conduct placement interviews.
The success of Bengal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (BCPSR) graduates highlights the dedication of its management and the effectiveness of its programs. For example, Sanchita Roy, a 2024 passout, kickstarted her career as an Executive Trainee at Emami, attributing her success to the research training she received. Similarly, Pramit Hazra and Kushal Nandi, 2024 batch passouts as well, became Quality Control Analysts at Torrent Pharmaceuticals, drawing from their solid academic foundation and practical experiences. These inspiring success stories illustrate how BCPSR empowers students to realize their career aspirations and significantly contribute to the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, one student and one step at a time.
