As learning at the University of Malta shifts to online platforms, the Department of Pharmacy activated its plan to adapt its teaching sessions as well.
The Department has established experience in online teaching through the postgraduate Doctorate in Pharmacy programme in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy of the University of Illinois in Chicago. This collaborative programme already entails linking the Malta and Chicago campuses remotely three times a week for virtual face-to-face student sessions.
In the context of COVID-19, teaching sessions for all the pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology degree courses are now being delivered using different modalities including Zoom and Webex Video Conferencing for live link-ups by the lecturer. When the pre-recorded lectures are preferred by the lecturer, the Panopto platform is used. For tutorials and research discussions, where small group teaching is involved, the Google Meet platform is being used.
Another activity being provided by the Department is the delivery of a series of short live Webinars targeting pharmacy and medical students as well as healthcare professionals to present scientific evidence on evolving topics related to COVID-19. These include the prevention of transmission, use of medications and updates on research in the pharmacotherapeutics of coronavirus management.
The first Webinar in the series was launched last Monday and was repeated over the past week since over 400 participants from different countries in Europe subscribed. The Second webinar started on Monday 30 March 2020. Those interested to join can send an email to the Department.
“As this pandemic is presenting challenges to staff members across the world, supporting our students at this vital time is a priority, as we provide them and the public with evidence-based information and tools to make use of now, in these times, as well as in their future as pharmacists. In giving online education our time and effort, we are also acknowledging that the contribution of pharmacists during COVID-19 is an important one that should not be undermined”, said Prof. Lilian M. Azzopardi, Head of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Malta.