Establishment of Pharmacy University in Uttar Pradesh is Need of the Hour: Association Announces Nationwide Campaign

Lucknow, With the objective of giving a new direction to higher education and pharmaceutical education in Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Pharmacy Colleges and Pharmaceutical Industries Welfare Association has decided to launch a nationwide campaign demanding the establishment of a dedicated Pharmacy University in Uttar Pradesh.

The executive meeting of the Association was held on Friday, August 8, 2026, at Avadh International Hotel in Lucknow. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Dr. America Singh, President of the Association and former Vice-Chancellor.

The meeting was attended by Association patron and senior political leader Narsim Mani Tripathi, former Vice-Chancellor Prof. A.S. Vidyarthi, and Vice-Chancellor Prof. V.K. Singh. They shared their experiences and suggestions with the office-bearers.

Vice-President and former MLC Manoj Kumar Singh, General Secretary Prof. Dr. Durgesh Mani Tripathi, Secretary Avadhesh Kumar Verma, Joint Secretaries Amrish Gupta, Vishal Chandra Shahi, Lucky Jafri and Vijay Kumar Singh, along with managers and principals of pharmacy colleges and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry from various districts, were also present.

Pharmacy University Called a Need of the Hour

General Secretary Prof. Dr. Durgesh Mani Tripathi said that Uttar Pradesh currently has more than 1,100 pharmaceutical industries and over 2,700 pharmacy colleges. Despite this extensive educational and industrial network, the state does not have a dedicated university exclusively for pharmacy education.

The Association stated that establishing a Pharmacy University in Uttar Pradesh is a timely and important requirement considering the growing pharmaceutical sector and changing needs of higher education. It has therefore decided to launch a nationwide awareness campaign in support of the demand.

Concern Over Student Migration and Fee Hikes

The meeting also expressed concern over the migration of students to other states. Association members said that steep increases in fees are among the major reasons for students moving outside the state.

Concern was also expressed over examination fees. The members said students often face considerable difficulties even for correcting minor errors in their mark sheets.

Concern Over Closure of Institutions and Degree System

The Association expressed concern over the continuous closure of several pharmacy, engineering and management colleges in the state.

Members also discussed the existing system of awarding pharmacy degrees. They pointed out that pharmacy is an important discipline connected with healthcare, while its degrees are currently being awarded through institutions associated with technical education.

The Association demanded that the system of awarding pharmacy degrees should be brought under the Medical and Health Department or the proposed Pharmacy University.

Warning Against Unilateral Fee Increases

The Association strongly opposed any increase in examination or affiliation fees without consultation with stakeholders. It warned that if the Board of Technical Education or Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University increases examination or affiliation fees without taking the Association into confidence, a nationwide protest campaign will be launched.

Special Committee to Submit Memorandum to Government

The Association decided to meet the concerned ministers of the state and central governments as well as the Chief Minister and submit a memorandum highlighting its demands.

A special committee has been constituted under the leadership of Manoj Kumar Singh, Vice-President of the Association and former MLC, to take the matter forward.

The Association will also soon launch its newsletter, periodical and journal. Former Vice-Chancellor Prof. A.S. Vidyarthi has been appointed as the Editor-in-Chief for this initiative.

The meeting also reached a consensus on making appropriate arrangements for students' education and academic welfare. A special provision for the education of orphaned children was also proposed.

The next General Body meeting of the Association will be held on August 29, 2026, where the future course of action and further strategy will be finalized.

The Association said that memorandums will soon be submitted to the concerned authorities and the government, followed by a nationwide public awareness campaign on the demand for a dedicated Pharmacy University in Uttar Pradesh.