The rector of the University of Malta, Professor Juanito Camilleri, signed a collaborative agreement between the Department of Pharmacy, within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.

Aurobindo is a pharmaceutical company that is established in Hal Far and undertakes quality testing and release of medicinal products to the European market. 

The two-year agreement covers support towards the teaching and research activities in the Department of Pharmacy especially aspects of pharmaceutical technology. Through this agreement Aurobindo Pharma will sponsor the award for best Pharmaceutical Technology student presentation during the Annual Pharmacy Symposium. 

The course leading to a degree of Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Technology is a three-year programme that provides students with a scientific approach to skills required in the development, manufacturing, testing, distribution and safe use of medicines. Through this agreement academic internships carried out by students reading for a pharmacy or pharmaceutical technology degree at Aurobindo are formalised. 

Students following the course leading to a degree in Pharmaceutical Technology follow an eight-week internship every year of the course. Through placements at Aurobindo, the students gain hands-on experience in the quality control of medications for chemical and microbiological testing, and quality assurance processes in the handling of medications. 

Pharmaceutical Technology graduates are taking job positions in the pharmaceutical industry, in medicine distribution, medical representation and pharmaceutical regulatory affairs. Aurobindo is developing its plant technical facilities and it is expected that this will open up a large number of opportunities for pharmaceutical technology graduates. 

Aurobindo Pharma will also collaborate with the Department of Pharmacy in the co-ordination of the publication of a Drug Information Bulletin. The Drug Information Bulletin is a publication which disseminates information on new up-and-coming drugs as well as newly acquired information, such as side-effects on already established drugs.