International Pharmacy Students’ Association STUDENTS EXCHANGE PRGORAMME [SEP] International Pharmacy Students’ Association [IPSF] & Indian Pharmaceutical Association - Students’ Forum [IPA-SF]

What is IPSF? The International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation was founded in 1949 by eight pharmacy student associations in London.  The Federation now represents around 350,000 pharmacy students and recent graduates in 61 countries worldwide.  IPSF is a non-governmental, non-political, and non-religious organisation that aims to study and promote the interests of pharmacy students and encourage international co-operation amongst them. 

What is Student Exchange Program [SEP]? The IPSF Student Exchange Program (SEP) is the pinnacle global program of IPSF, criss-crossing students from all corners of the world in the name of international pharmacy experience. An IPSF Student Exchange not only gives students from all over the world the opportunity to learn about pharmacy outside the borders of their own country, but enriches both their professional and personal lives with experiences that are to not be matched over a lifetime! Each exchange differs in the details of location, length, timeframe, cost, monetary reimbursement and accommodations, depending on both home country and the country of participation.

How SEP works? Approximately 50 different countries participate in SEP, with upwards of 500 students placed in exchanges annually. Each Member Association of IPSF organises the placement of students, with the IPSF Student Exchange Chairperson and Committee acting as a forum for internal and external communication and advice, constantly working towards expanding the program. Students of different country visit other country for length of 1 to 3 months.

Where SEP occurs? Possible sites for SEP include: Retail pharmacies, Hospital pharmacies, Wholesale companies, Pharmaceutical industry, Schools of pharmacy – University departments / Colleges. Government, Private health agencies, and Even the Industrial Pharmacy Section of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (IPS/FIP).

When exchange occurs in SEP? The SEP programme runs throughout the year, with the majority exchanges taking place between May and September. The length of placements is usually 1 to 3 months.

FINANCE SEP Fee Many Countries provide accommodation free of cost. Any participant wishing to take part in the IPSF SEP must pay the SEP fee of 36 euro. 16 euro will be given back to the participant in case they are not placed. Many Countries provide accommodation free of cost. Few countries also provide food free of cost or at reduced rate. Travel expenses to be managed by participating students.

SEP Grant The purpose of this grant is to allow some students with low economic resources to participate in the IPSF SEP. The grant will finance partial or full costs of a plane, train, bus or ferry ticket to the destination country, and exempt the exchange student of the payment of the fees imposed for the exchange programme. The application must be complete and all the rules have to be followed! The last date for receipt of applications will be 1st March of current SEP year.

GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING EXCHANGE STUDENTS Step 1 Contact your national Student Exchange Officer (SEO) or Local Student Exchange Officer (LEO) to find out what kind of pre-selection procedure your students association has. The SEO or LEO is the only one who you are in touch with. Do not contact countries on your own! After having been selected for participating in SEP you will submit an online application form. Please read these instructions carefully before filling in the application form.

Looking for further information? Contact in India: Kapil M Khambholja Student Exchange Officer [SEO] Ipsf.seo.india@gmail.com or kapilmk@gmail.com IPSF contact: sep@ipsf.org

Questions… ?