APRO RWG

Chairperson : aprochair@gmail.com
Secretary : apro@ipsf.org
Regional Project Officer : aprorpo@gmail.com
Regional Relations Officer : aprorro@gmail.com
Internal Coordinator & Communication Officer : aproicco@gmail.com
Regional Student Exchange Officer : ipsf.aprosep@gmail.com

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 APRO RWG
Melissa Hong—Chairperson

Greetings from the Asia Pacific Regional Office, Regional Working

Group (APRO-RWG) of the International Pharmaceutical Students’
Federation (IPSF). My name is Melissa Hong from Malaysia. My first
experience with IPSF was back in 2008 where I attended the 7th Asia
Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) in Khonkean, Thailand.
Since then I have been actively promoting IPSF back in my home
country and I decided to bring it up a notch by getting involve in the
Asia Pacific Regional Office of IPSF the following year. It has been a
wonderful journey where many friendships and inspirations were
made. I look forward to working with a very passionate team which
has shown great enthusiasm in serving and working for IPSF. In the
upcoming year, the office will continue to carry out more activities and
we hope to extend the IPSF hand of friendship to non-member coun-
tries whilst improving our relationship with our beloved members.
Viva la Pharmacie!

Geoffrey Chai—Secretary

G’day everyone! My name’s Geoffrey Chai and I am a 4th year phar-

macy student studying at the University of Sydney, Australia. The 9 th
APPS held in Seoul, South Korea was my first APPS. Having met
everyone at this event and being fascinated with the structures of IPSF
and APRO, I went on to become the Secretary of APRO. Throughout
my term I hope to work diligently with my team to ensure APRO runs
smoothly. I will mostly be working the behind-the-scenes so you will
rarely see my emails. But that shouldn’t stop you from contacting me
since I’ll be more than happy to share what I know. Hope to see you all
at the 10th APPS in Yogyakarta, Indonesia next year!

Kate Jung A Kim— Regional Relations Officer

Hello everyone! My name is Kate Jung-A Kim (call me Kate) from Korea.
I am currently a registered pharmacist in New Zealand but I am
planning to also register in Korea. I was lucky enough to attend the 9th
APPS and the Leaders-In-Training (LIT) in Seoul, Korea this year as well
as becoming an individual member of IPSF. My hobbies are swimming,
travelling and shopping. I love interacting with people and I am
grateful that I was elected as the Regional Relations Officer (RRO) of
APRO. I believe I am ambitious and motivated, which are qualities that
have pushed me forward and to strive for excellence in whatever I do.
I hope this year will be an exciting year for APRO, but on my part I will
be putting in 100% of my efforts to ensure APRO is a successful. I look
forward to working with non-member countries and getting them to
join the IPSF family!

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 Chrysna Winandha—Regional Project Officer APRO RWG
My name’s Chrysna Winandha from Indonesia. I am a 4th year
pharmacy student at the University of Indonesia. The first APPS I
attended was the 7th APPS in Thailand. And since then I have grown
to love IPSF more over the last 2 years. Having attended one IPSF
Congress, one WHSS and three APPS I have made many friendships
and have many fond memories from each event. The IPSF spirit is an
infectious one as it has urged me to become more involved within the
IPSF community. It is an honour to be elected as the Regional Project
Officer (RPO). The main goal I have for my term is to promote and raise
awareness of the pharmacy profession through the Pharmacy
Profession Awareness Campaign (PPAC), but in addition to this I hope
to successfully hold IPSF activities. Fortunately, I am not alone in this
commitment as I have a wonderful APRO-RWG team, an amazing
subcommittee and a big family of CPs to support me. I hope to see you
all at the next APPS in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and IPSF Congress in
Hat Yai, Thailand!

Alexander Stefan —Internal Coordinator & Communication Officer

Hi everyone! My name is Alexander Stefan but you can call me Alex or

Stefan for short. I am currently a 4th year student of the Clinical &
Community Pharmacy, Institute of Technology Bandung, Indonesia.
Where I first met APRO was in 2008 when I attended the 7 th APPS in
Thailand. Since 2008, I have served as a subcommittee member. This
year I was fortunate enough to attend LIT and APPS in Korea where I got
elected as the new Internal Communications and Co-ordinations Officer
(ICCO) of APRO. My hobbies are photography, travelling, and playing
musical instruments. I decided to run for ICCO because I wanted a
position, which combines my artistic nature with the IPSF spirit. I believe
that with hard work, creativity and the involvement of all APRO
members, we could all help IPSF move into an even brighter future.
If you have any questions or comments, please forward them to my
email address. Also feel free to contact me through Facebook.
See you guys at the next APPS!

Rizki Tsari Andriani—Regional Student Exchange Officer

Hello Everyone! My name's Rizki Tsari Andriani. But you can call me Kiki for short.
I'm a 4th year student at the Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia. I was
elected as the Regional Student Exchange Officer (RSEO) of APRO at the 9th
APPS Seoul, South Korea. Through a student exchange I believe that we are
able to learn a variety of things. Not only are we comparing the differences
between pharmacies but we are able to experience a country’s culture.
Ultimately though, each one of us that goes on an exchange will learn
something unique that will be cherished for the rest of our lives, so it is my
pleasure to help everyone in the Asia Pacific go on a student exchange.
I want you all to experience SEP at least once in your life.
Let’s go on an exchange.
Viva SEP, Viva APRO, Viva IPSF, Viva la Pharmacie

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 APRO RWG
Astrid Ayu Maruti–Chairperson of 10th APPS 2011

Hi all! I’m Astrid, a 4th year Pharmacy Student studying at Universitas

Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. My first APPS was the 7th APPS in Khonkaen,
Thailand. The experience I received is something I still treasure. I was
able to meet pharmacy students from all over Asia Pacific region.
I was able to exchange pharmacy related information with each
country through symposiums and workshops, as well as enjoy parties
and a tour around the city, which I’ve never visited before. From there,
came the idea of bringing the symposium to my country and
university. The 8th APPS Malaysia was where this came true. Now my
committee and I are putting things together for the 10th APPS 2011 at
UGM, Yogyakarta. We hope to provide a lifetime of experience for the
participants. I can guarantee it will be an event that you will regret if
you miss. Wish to see you next year in Yogyakarta!

http://apps2011-indonesia.com/

For further information :

appsyogyakarta2011@gmail.com

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Experiencing the 9th
Asia-Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium , 9th APPS Korea
Seoul—South Korea
Kate (Jung A) Kim
Korean National Association Pharmaceutical Students (KNAPS) ,South Korea

The 9th Asia-Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) was held in Seoul Korea and I felt this was a
great opportunity for me to volunteer and help with organizing an international event. As I love
interacting with people, I felt it would be a great opportunity for me to make new friends.
Surprisingly, I started off as a helper of the APPS committee, but ended up becoming the Regional
Relation Officer (RRO) for 2010-11 of IPSF. I would like to share this wonderful experience and my
thoughts on the 9th APPS.
Leaders in training (LIT)
This year’s LIT was held in Bang Hwa for 4 days with
various activities and workshops that focused around the
topic of ‘what it takes to become a good leader’. Eleven
students from five different countries were involved in LIT.
Throughout these workshops and activities I learnt how a
team functions as well as the important factors that are
required to become a good leader. From this it inspired me
to join the IPSF as an individual member. Although LIT
started off with eleven strangers, these strangers ended up
becoming my friends who I know will stay with me for life.

The 9th Asia-Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium

Straight after LIT it was when the actual APPS started!
Since I attend the APPS as a helper (not as a participant)
I was more involved in the organizational aspect such
as being in charge of the Welcome Party, organizing
Auction Night and helping out the reception
committee (RCs). At times I found it difficult working
with such a large group as there was many ideas that
were conflicting. However, the skills that I had learnt
from LIT were helpful in resolving these problems and
as a result we were able to achieve our goals efficiently.
Even though there were hard times, APPS was not all
about work. There were nights where we had fun such
as the international, auction and gala night. Auction
night was where I had the most fun. During these social events I managed to meet new friends and
was able learn about their cultures. I felt that
member countries of IPSF were very fortunate in
having the wonderful opportunity to attend such
an event during their student life. As such this
became the main reason for me to join IPSF as an
individual member and to undergo an election
for Regional Relation Officer (RRO) of APRO.
I wanted the non-member countries to be part of
the IPSF community so that the students were
not missing out on the fun as well as the
educational sessions. I was lucky to get elected as
the RRO of 2010-11, but let me tell you that LIT
and the 9th APPS 2010 has been amazing.
I’m looking forward to attending the 10th APPS
in Indonesia.

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 Jasmit Singh Suri
Indian Pharmaceutical
9th APPS Korea
Association-Student Forum
(IPA-SF), India

When it became known to me that I was the only Indian

pharmaceutical student attending the 9th APPS I was
overjoyed and scared about the idea. However, the
prospect of attending an international event was a golden
opportunity for me to expand my circle of friends.
Throughout the process of filling out forms, processing my
visa, arriving in Seoul, attending the symposiums and
meetings were made easy by the very supportive APPS
Reception Committee.

From day one I was marked as an official delegate and

hosted the Indian national flag at the opening ceremony.
I felt so proud and honoured amongst other nations.
Following the opening ceremony the week was packed with meetings, conferences, presentations and
elections. I participated in a pharmacy exhibition as well as presented a video which generated positive
feedback. I was given the chance to attend a tour where I was taken around by the volunteers to
explore the traditional villages which represented the cultures and the heritage of Korea. A lot of
traditional food had made its mark on my mind and I will forever remember them. I will never forget
about Kim-chi (Korean appetizer), Soju and dong-dong (Korean drinks). I enjoyed the night life of Korea
where I explored the lively streets and clubs; Mass Club will always remain in my memories. And, last
but not the least I would like to mention the tranquility of the North Side of the River, which took me to
a deep and peaceful mind.
The last two days were kept for the farewell where a lot of warm wishes, gifts and contacts were
exchanged for future relations. When the time for departure had arrived I was touched by the respect,
care and support of APRO. I would like to give a special mention to Connie Kim who had shown me
around the whole time I was in Korea. A beautiful memory is what I posses now about the Koreans and
the country. I definitely wish to go there again, if I was given another chance.

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IPSF CONGRESS

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 APRO Focus

APRO Focus Project

Pharmacy Profession Awareness Campaign (PPAC):
Empowering Our Profession by Educating the Public

Till today, it is a common to hear someone ask: what does a pharmacist do? What is
the role of a pharmacist? Or simply so you guys are the ones that count pills and gives
me my medicines at the counters. The lack of awareness of the pharmacy profession is
prevalent throughout society. Although important to patient healthcare, the pharma-
cy profession has not been able to communicate effectively to the public about the
roles, the scope and the importance of the profession.

Pharmacy students are the pharmacists of tomorrow. They will be leading the profes-
sion in the near future and is a key player in increasing awareness and changing the
attitudes facing profession. The APRO of IPSF understands the need for students to
create this awareness on our profession to the public. Due to the need for this, APRO-
IPSF has decided along with our members to make ― PPAC: Empowering the Profes-
sion by Educating the Public, this year’s APRO project.

The office hopes to provide as much support to our members to carry out this project
in their home countries. We want students to make our mark as pharmacist in our so-
ciety. With full support we sincerely hope that this year’s APRO project will be benefi-
cial not only to our members but further help the society understand the role and im-
portance of our profession.

Newsletter designed by
Alexander Stefan
Internal Coordinator and Communication
Officer of APRO 2010-2011

Feel free to comment at aproicco@gmail.com

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