Dr.R.MEENAKSHI SUNDARAM is presently working as Director/Principal at GRT INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, TIRUTANI. He has over 25 years of experience in the field of teaching and research and has obtained his Ph.D. from Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai. He has organized and attended a number of national and international seminars, conferences and workshops. He is a great leader and educationist working for the betterment of students. 

GRT Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research

What would you say are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

“Planning good academic practices and placements”

Being the Director/Principal of the Institute, my major role is to plan the academics by discussing them with subject experts for every semester. I help in providing the required infrastructure and academic facilities to the students and faculty. I plan and organize knowledge inculcating programs at the institute level. One of the other important tasks I lead is to get good campus recruiters and placements for the students. 

How do you strategize about the key plans for the marketing of your Institute?

“Reaching out potential crowd through interactions”

We are continuously edifying a strong digital platform to upsurge the public reach of GRT Institute. We also are communicating with school students and principals, conducting basic classes and providing question banks for the students free of cost. We conduct online and offline competitions and entrances for 12th class students. The students are invited along with school principals and parents to the college for visits and understanding the vision of the college. We organize community development programs and medical camps for the benefit of society as well. 

What can an inbound student gain from studying here at your Institute?

“Potential professional grow guidance”

GRTIPER strides towards excellence by adopting a system of quality policies and processes with continued improvements to enhance student’s skills and talents for their exemplary contribution to society, the nation and the world. The programs at GRT aim to build a strong nation with knowledge and innovation. With the courses offered by our institute to the students, we are envisioned to provide uncompromised education to future generations. We are making knowledgeable future pharmacists, scientists for the service and future of the Human community. We provide the students with the best support and help them achieve and keep track of their accomplishments as well. 

What types of projects are students working on through your programs?

“Active innovations in drugs and medicines”

There are many projects of higher importance being conducted by the faculty and the students. The students are actively working on finding and creating cures for diseases by drug discovery, identifying and analyzing the new drugs, their formulation, as well as new drug sources that will be required by humankind. Along with these, there are projects on the study of the adverse effects of prescribed dosage forms and their accurate doses. 

How do you tend to establish healthy relations with students and fellow faculty?

“Communicating and regularising meets”

The institute organizes regular meetings with the faculties for queries and discussions. As a principal, I conduct regular visits to the classrooms to make an effective conversation with the students regarding their suggestions and problems. I always try to respond to the students and their queries as early as possible. To provide a healthy relationship between faculties and students a Mentor-Mentee system is being implemented in the institute as well. 

Check GRT Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Courses & Fees

What new programs and courses have you introduced in your Institute?

“Skill enhancement course lines”

We are constantly improving the current courses and implementing new courses as we go. Communication and Soft skills, Value added courses, Skill development courses have been introduced in the curriculum to enhance student abilities. Also, certain Short term Certificate courses for professional development will be introduced in the near future. 

What do you think should be the College’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“Ensuring standard education and recruitments”

The top priority of the Institute is to become one of the best colleges offering Pharmacy courses by providing quality education. We aim to build an institute that is student-centered in all aspects, where teaching and learning processes are streamlined with state of art infrastructure for professional aspirants hailing from all the parts of the nation and beyond. Also, the Placement and Career Guidance cell would be framed and it will work for bringing the campus placements from reputed industries or organizations for the students. 

How are the programs at your institute ensuring industry best practices?

“Expert supervision and advance curriculum”

In GRTIPER, we have well-equipped machine rooms to teach and make all the students an expert in handling of equipment and practical skills. This is done under the expert supervision of their own field. We provide and organize skill development programs that are given by the industry experts themselves. We constantly train them to adapt to the changes occurring regularly by implementing the knowledge that they have gained throughout their practices in the institute. Moreover, we follow a well-designed curriculum updated by PCI (Pharmacy Council of India) according to which, the needed workshops and seminar/guest lectures are organized to enhance the practical knowledge of the students.

What valuable advice would you give to the students to have a prosperous career?

“Upgrade and acquire best possible knowledge”

My advice to all the students is to be one of the best through regular updating of knowledge required in the present scenario. One should always continue to learn forever. Hardworking and critical thinking will take you a long way. Always go for the best suggestions for the development.