The Auckland Pharmacy Students' Association (APSA) is a branch of the New
Zealand Association of Pharmacy Students. Each year, a group of executive members
are elected from the student body. Their main function is to represent pharmacy
students in all aspects of student life and to facilitate social, sporting, cultural
and academic activities.
Events that are annually organised by APSA include inter-year
sporting competitions, class dinners, pub crawls. These events promote opportunities to meet fellow BPharm
students from other years and provide a welcome break from the academic side of
university. This year we are starting a pharmacy revue, which has evolved from the
less structured 'pharmacy idol', and will be a chance for students to perform
and show their talents! We also
run a yearly interns night and help out during Continuing Education lectures monthly.
In addition, the Fresher’s Camp is fully run by the APSA execs with the main aim
of providing the new intake of pharmacy students a chance to meet classmates before
the academic year starts, and to get to know the execs so they will know a friendly
face around campus.
There are two elected class representatives from each year
whose main duty is to represent their class. Representatives need to display leadership,
confidence and have good communication skills to be able to articulate to the class
any upcoming events and report problems with courses to relevant staff members.
They are expected to attend weekly APSA meetings as well as Staff Student Committee
meetings. Being a class rep is a good opportunity to witness and partake in the
‘behind the scenes’ of the students’ association, provides the opportunity
to associate with teaching staff, and looks good on your CV!
Throughout the year the APSA execs are constantly working to find new sponsors
to lower the cost of events. Thus, each year we rely on the generosity of
sponsors such as Douglas pharmaceuticals, propharma various drug and health
companies and pharmacies to lower the cost of the events that we run and also to
assist in the production of the pharmacy end-of-year magazine, PharMag.
Membership is $25 per year. This entitles you to
bagful of goodies and discounts for all the APSA events throughout the year. Join
up during March and be part of APSA to make the most of your time at the School
of Pharmacy.
For more information about membership and the APSA execs please visit the
official APSA website.
