Pharmaceutical Chemistry: Enhancing Field Trips and Startup Activities for Students

Studying Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI), students will gain practical experience in enterprises while connecting with startup ecosystems to advance their research and inventions.

What is Pharmaceutical Chemistry?

Pharmaceutical Chemistry is a scientific field focused on the development of raw materials for drugs, cosmetics, and health supplements. It encompasses the synthesis, qualitative and quantitative analysis of bioactive compounds, and the study of drug metabolism and mechanisms of action within the human body, as well as the correlation between chemical structure and biological activity.

This discipline is rooted in chemistry and addresses issues across various sciences, including biology, medicine, and pharmacy. It involves the design and synthesis of pharmaceuticals, representing a blend of organic chemistry, biochemistry, cheminformatics, pharmacology, molecular biology, statistical mathematics, and physical chemistry.

Students of Chemical Technology Faculty, Hanoi University of Industry, practice in modern laboratories equipped with advanced research instruments

Practical Training and Real-World Experience

The Faculty of Chemical Technology at HaUI has established numerous effective collaborations with thousands of organizations and enterprises both domestically and internationally. These partnerships include internship programs at companies such as Hanam Pharmaceuticals, Medipantex, Traphaco, and Dong Nam Duoc Bat Phuc, as well as hands-on experiences at research institutes like the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Institute of Medicinal Materials. Students also visit medicinal plant farms, attend job placement workshops, career orientation seminars, and soft skills training sessions, and benefit from foreign investment opportunities.

Students went on practical experience trips to pharmaceutical companies and visitted medicinal herb gardens

Promoting Entrepreneurship and Innovation

HaUI's Faculty of Chemical Technology actively fosters an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation. HaUI organizes various activities and scientific research clubs to encourage student startups and creative thinking.

Prof. Domenico Delfino, University of Perugia – Italy, President of the World Association of Ethnomedicine, paid a working visit to Faculty of Chemical Technology

Student won Second Prize in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries category at the 2024 National Startup Day for Students

For instance, at the 2024 National Startup Festival for Students, a project by five HaUI students on extracting essential oils and compressing charcoal tablets from orange and grapefruit peels (Zest Aroma) won second place in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries category. Such initiatives equip students with valuable tools for future entrepreneurial success.

The 'Centella Cleansing Water' project won Second Prize at the 2023 Startup Challenge

At the 2023 Startup Challenge, an event organized by the Youth Union and Student Association of Hanoi University of Industry, the 'Centella Cleansing Water' project by students from the Faculty of Chemical Technology excellently won the Second Prize. This is a valuable platform that allows students to flexibly apply their learned knowledge to real-life situations and freely express their creative startup ideas for the future.

Students actively participate in scientific research activities

Many Opportunities for Development in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Sector in Vietnam

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam's pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is growing rapidly to meet the needs of nearly 100 million people. However, domestic production only meets about 50% of the population's needs, with nearly 90% of raw materials being imported, leading to relatively high drug prices. To reduce drug costs, the government has issued specific directives, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade's development of a proposal for the pharmaceutical chemistry industry and a national key science and technology research program to develop the pharmaceutical chemistry industry. The Ministry of Health has also made and will continue to make significant investments in this field.

The International Business Monitor (BMI) predicts that Vietnam will increasingly attract foreign companies to invest in the pharmaceutical chemistry sector, driving the development of domestic drug manufacturing technologies.

Currently, there is a high demand for professionals in this field, yet the number of students trained each year is insufficient to meet the demand. Consequently, pharmaceutical chemistry has become one of the most promising career paths with attractive salary prospects.

As one of the first institutions in the country to offer training in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, HaUI has a well-established and continually updated curriculum aligned with the needs of society. Students are equipped with foundational knowledge in science, chemistry, and pharmaceutical basics, along with specialized knowledge and skills for research, development, and quality assessment of pharmaceutical raw materials, cosmetics, and functional foods. They will also develop scientific research capabilities and lifelong learning skills, contributing to the advancement of pharmaceuticals and the protection and enhancement of human health. Moreover, students in this major gain hands-on experience with modern equipment for research, development, and production in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food industries.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this program have numerous exciting career opportunities, such as:

• Researchers at pharmaceutical chemistry institutes and research centers.
• Specialists at pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food manufacturing companies, working in R&D, technical, production, and quality management departments.
• Quality control officers for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods at regulatory agencies.
• Lecturers in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
• Consultants, planners, and policy advisors in the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

The Faculty of Chemical Technology at HaUI boasts a team of highly qualified instructors with strong academic reputations both nationally and internationally

Choosing to study at HaUI's Faculty of Chemical Technology is a wise decision, laying a solid foundation for your future career.