The Training and Placement Assistance Cell of Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), MAHE, Manipal, in association with the Manipal School of Commerce and Economics (MSCE), MAHE, Manipal, successfully conducted a four-day Pre-Placement Training Program from 21st to 24th January, 2026 for all first year PG students. This program initiated two years ago under the visionary guidance of Dr. Srinivas Mutalik, Principal, MCOPS, aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional readiness. Addressing the students, Dr. Mutalik emphasized the growing importance of soft skills alongside academic proficiency and highlighted how structured training programs such as this play a crucial role in preparing students for a successful professional career. The program received valuable guidance and inputs from Dr. Usha Y. Nayak, Vice Principal, MCOPS and Dr. Girish Pai K, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics which significantly contributed to its effective execution. The event was coordinated by Mr. Venkatesh Kamath, Placement Coordinator, with the able support of faculty placement committee members Dr. Bhavana B. Bhat, Dr. P. Naresh and student coordinator Ms. Jayashree V. The training program was thoughtfully designed to focus on essential soft skills required for corporate and professional life, including communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability and professional ethics.

The first three days of the program featured interactive sessions conducted by experienced faculty members from MSCE, MAHE, Manipal. Dr. Vikram Baliga, Prof. Ravindra Shenoy, Dr. Santosh Nayak, Dr. Shilpa Gopal, Dr. Daniel Frank, Prof. Sachin Chandra, Prof. Sangeetha Pai T, Dr. Rakshith Bhandary, and Dr. Mithun Ullal served as resource persons who through their vast academic and industry exposure, provided valuable insights into various dimensions of career development. On the fourth day, Mr. Revant Naik, Advisor and Client Partner at BVR People Consulting, Bengaluru, shared his extensive HR expertise and spoke in detail about the current pharmaceutical market scenario, highlighting emerging trends and strategies for career preparedness in the evolving pharma sector. Mr. Amitabha Ghosh, Deputy General Manager, Navitas Life Sciences, Manipal, elaborated on the industrial and CRO setup, offering students practical perspectives on industry operations and expectations.

Students from all ten specializations of the MPharm program actively participated and engaged enthusiastically throughout the sessions. Final year BPharm and PharmD students participated in the sessions related to industry exposure and professional guidance. Overall, the program proved to be highly impactful in equipping students with the necessary skills and confidence to face future placement and career challenges.