Pharmaceutical Technology Synergy

The Department of Pharmaceutical Technology at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) has successfully implemented a dual education model that blends academic instruction with practical experience in real pharmaceutical production settings. Since 2010, this model has been developed in collaboration with leading scientific and industrial enterprises, including JSC “Scientific Center for Anti-Infectious Drugs,” LLP “Antigen,” and LLP “Kelun-Pharm,” all of which operate in accordance with national Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

A Synergy of Theory and Practice

The dual education system enhances student training by integrating substantial hands-on experience into the academic curriculum. Key pharmaceutical disciplines—both mandatory and elective—are delivered directly at industrial sites. For example:

• Industrial Drug Technology and Biopharmaceutical Aspects of Dosage Form Technology are taught at the JSC center,
• Veterinary Drug Technology is conducted at LLP “Antigen”,
• Industrial Drug Technology and Pharmaceutical Technology II are taught at LLP “Kelun-Pharm.”

Students also complete educational, industrial, and pre-graduation internships at these sites, gaining real-world experience in pharmaceutical workflows such as technological processes, GMP compliance, equipment handling, and quality assurance systems. These internships are enriched by the direct involvement of industry professionals, who deliver guest lectures, lead seminars, and conduct masterclasses.

This collaborative model ensures the relevance of educational content to the current demands of the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, KazNMU is expanding its partnerships with European and CIS pharmaceutical enterprises, enabling international site visits and exchange of expertise.

Applied Research and Innovation

Alongside its educational initiatives, the department is actively involved in applied scientific research. A flagship example is the project titled “Development of Technology for Pectin-Containing Dairy Products Aimed at Removing Toxicants from the Human Body,” funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan (2020–2022, 49 million KZT). This project developed functional dairy products (yogurt, cheese, ice cream) using low-esterified sugar beet pectin, which demonstrated significant detoxification effects in preclinical studies by reducing lead and cadmium levels in laboratory animals. Industrial trials were carried out at “SMAK” LLP.

The project is now in the commercialization phase at “ANADEL” LLP under a new grant from the Science Fund (2024–2026), with a total funding of 492 million KZT.

Through the successful integration of academic knowledge, hands-on industry training, and applied research, the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology at KazNMU continues to be a model of educational innovation. With robust partnerships and a 100% graduate employment rate, the department is not only preparing future pharmacists but also actively shaping the pharmaceutical landscape of Kazakhstan and beyond.