Pfizer medics and executives from 23 countries are to take a Master of Science Degree in Pharmaceutical Medicine course run by Dublin-based Hibernia College.
The course syllabus has been developed by Hibernia College in collaboration with faculty at The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and at Harvard University. It has been accredited by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council of Ireland. Participants will already hold recognised third-level qualifications in relevant disciplines and the course will be delivered in a blended format combining the most modern forms of e-learning with onsite sessions at RCSI and Harvard.
Dr Honorio Silva, corporate vice-president of science and medical professional development at Pfizer, commented: “This is a unique initiative that will be implemented by Pfizer and Hibernia College on a global basis, with Ireland serving as the central hub for the technological and academic resources underlying the programme. This will strongly support the development of Pfizer’s expertise in the arena of pharmaceutical medicine. It will ultimately be opened generally to medical practitioners and the wider pharmaceutical industry on an international basis.
“The choice of Ireland and of Hibernia College followed a rigorous assessment of a number of educational establishments worldwide on the basis of quality and proficiency in delivering a higher-level distance-learning programme online. We are delighted to further our commitment and investment in Ireland where Pfizer already plays a major role within industry and the economy,” said Silva.
Professor Thomas N Mitchell, acadamic chairman of Hibernia College, said: “This new programme represents an exciting innovation in the field of pharmaceutical medicine. E-learning is becoming an integrated and critical component of knowledge management and performance improvement, showing a high return on investment. More businesses are recognising the ability of e-learning to build knowledge and develop skills whilst also reducing training-related costs.”
Dr Sean Rowland, executive chairman, Hibernia College said the Pfizer partnership represented “a new era for Irish international educational services”.
Dr Peter Corr, senior vice-president for science and technology at Pfizer pictured with Professor Thomas Mitchell, academic chairman of Hibernia College
By Brian Skelly
