IN line with Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Plan 2020, the Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies Committee (RPCC) inaugurated its first training program on July 30, 2017, as part of the BioPharma Academy initiative. The program will provide customized soft skills trainings for pharmacy students with the assistance of reputable training organizations and institutes.
The Soft Skills Program is the first component of the BioPharma Academy which aims to train Saudi pharmacy students and recent graduates in the practical workings of the pharmaceuticals industry, building a broad talent base prepared to meet the needs of the Saudi healthcare market. The inauguration of the Soft Skills program was attended by a number of government officials as well as General Managers of Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies Committee (RPCC) members.
Dr. Basma Al Buhairan, Managing Director for Healthcare and Life Sciences from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), said: “Developing and enhancing talent is key to successfully building a robust pharmaceutical eco-system. SAGIA welcomes the launch of the BioPharma Academy soft skills program that will equip the Saudi youth with the tools they need to become the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow, who will in turn fulfill the great potential of the Saudi pharmaceutical market, and the promise of Vision 2030. We look forward to the BioPharma Academy developing more advanced programs in the near future that will continue to train an increasingly competitive Saudi workforce”
Dr. Aws Alshamsan, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at King Saud University highlighted the benefits of the newly launched course and the other courses offered by BioPharma Academy in “providing attending students practical in addition to academic training. In today’s fast paced workplace, training is a key factor in the development of employees, which makes these training courses essential for fresh graduates who seek a chance to develop their skills and further prove themselves. Such training programs provide graduates with a perspective on the modern work place and directs them into their dream career paths.”
Assem Al Akabawi, Chairman of RPCC and General Manager of Bayer in Saudi Arabia, said: “The BioPharma Academy program was launched to fulfill unmet market needs and to synchronize training programs among the research-based pharmaceutical companies. The launch of the Soft Skills Program following the inauguration of the BioPharma Academy reflects our commitment to investing in the training and development of Saudi youth to be prepared for the modern work field.”
Rami Fayed, General Manager, AbbVie Saudi Arabia and the architect of the BioPharma Academy initiative, emphasized on the importance of the launched program and said: “The soft skills program focuses on developing the interpersonal skills for fresh graduates needed to land a job and proceed to build a successful career path in the health care sector which is one of the main pillars and key component in the kingdom’s plan to diversify the national economy.”
The Soft Skills Program builds on the needs of the individual who seeks to enter the job market. Sponsored by the RPC companies themselves, students will be provided customized instruction on presentation, negotiation and communication skills as well as CV-writing and job interview skills and techniques.
As the healthcare needs of the Kingdom grow with its population and its overall development, the BioPharma Academy program is expected to play an indispensable role in advancing the quality of healthcare in the Kingdom. — SG
