Father Muller Homoeopathic Pharmaceutical Division and P. A. College of Pharmacy Sign MoU to Strengthen Academic–Industry Collaboration
Mangaluru: Father Muller Homoeopathic Pharmaceutical Division (FMHPD), a unit of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, and P. A. College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 15, 2026, to strengthen academic–industry collaboration, promote experiential learning, foster research and innovation, and facilitate professional development in the field of pharmacy.
The MoU signing ceremony was held under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions. Rev. Fr. Nelson Dheeraj Pais, Administrator, Father Muller Homoeopathic Pharmaceutical Division, and Prof. Saleemulla Khan, Principal, P. A. College of Pharmacy and Professor of Pharmacognosy, formally signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.
Prof. Saleemulla Khan said the collaboration is envisioned as a platform for meaningful academic and professional engagement between the two institutions. It will provide students and faculty members of P. A. College of Pharmacy with opportunities for practical exposure to industrial processes and professional practices, while facilitating knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives between academia and the pharmaceutical industry.
The collaboration encompasses a range of academic, professional and research-oriented activities based on the mutual interests and convenience of both institutions. These include industrial visits and educational exposure for students; internships, training and experiential learning opportunities; guest lectures, seminars, workshops and expert interactions; faculty development programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives; collaborative research projects, innovation and consultancy; and the joint organisation of scientific events, awareness programmes and outreach activities. Other academic and professional activities may also be undertaken as mutually agreed upon by the two institutions.
Rev. Fr. Faustine said the partnership is expected to provide students with valuable first-hand exposure to the pharmaceutical production environment, complementing classroom-based learning with practical knowledge and industry-oriented skills. It will also create avenues for faculty members to engage in collaborative research, professional development, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The Father Muller Homoeopathic Pharmaceutical Division (FMHPD) is a constituent unit of Father Muller Charitable Institutions and was established in 1890, making it the institution’s oldest unit. It carries forward the organisation’s longstanding commitment to healthcare and service. The Division is engaged in the production of homoeopathic medicines and related pharmaceutical preparations, with an emphasis on quality, systematic production practices and service to the community.
The Division forms part of the larger legacy of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, whose healthcare mission traces its origins to Rev. Fr. Augustus Muller SJ, who began his service to the sick and the poor at Kankanady, Mangaluru, in the late 19th century. The institution has since evolved into a multidisciplinary healthcare and educational network, guided by its enduring motto, “Heal & Comfort.”
Through the present MoU, FMHPD seeks to contribute to academic development by providing students and faculty members with opportunities to gain greater insight into pharmaceutical production, professional practices, and industry-oriented learning.
P. A. College of Pharmacy, a constituent institution of the P. A. Group of Institutions established under the aegis of the P. A. Educational Trust, is committed to providing quality pharmacy education through academic excellence, research, innovation, industry interaction and professional development.
The institution places emphasis on preparing students to meet the evolving requirements of the pharmaceutical profession through a combination of academic learning, practical training and professional exposure. The collaboration with Father Muller Homoeopathic Pharmaceutical Division is aimed at further strengthening these opportunities by establishing a structured platform for experiential learning, research, skill development and knowledge exchange.
The MoU will also provide opportunities for the two institutions to jointly engage in scientific programmes, research initiatives, awareness activities and outreach programmes, thereby creating a mutually beneficial academic and professional ecosystem.
The signing ceremony was attended by Rev. Dr. Michael Santhumayor, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College; Rev. Fr. George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital; Dr. Antony Sylvan D’Souza, Dean, Father Muller Medical College; Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Head of Research, Father Muller Research Centre; Ms. Aswathy C., Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics and IQAC Head; and Dr. Kelvin Pais, Liaison Officer, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, along with representatives of the participating institutions.