EAGP Executive Director Prof. Irina Spichak Speaks at the Presidential National Council for Professional Qualifications

At the in-person meeting, Prof. Irina Spichak, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Executive Director of the Eurasian Academy of Good Practices, presented the VR Pharma Factory for Universities learning facility, developed together with the State Institute of Drugs and Good Practices of Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade.
As Irina Spichak pointed out, the key advantage of the VR learning facility is that it reproduces the entire  GMP-compliant manufacturing process of solid dosage, including all the technologies and equipment. ‘While learning, future pharma professionals are able to immerse themselves into the production environment, and get unique access to restricted areas which are not open to interns or trainees. Thanks to an exciting, interactive learning format, students can acquire relevant professional skills that will help them to find their feet at a pharmaceutical enterprise as fast as possible’, explained Irina Spichak.
VR Pharma Factory for Universities features unique licensed software. The implemented software scenarios include six main modules: basic GMP requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturing; storage in pharma companies; solid dosage manufacturing process: weighing, mixing, granulation, tablet pressing, primary packaging; packaging and labeling of finished products; utilities in pharmaceutical enterprises; pharmaceutical quality systems. As a result, the VR learning facility makes it possible to build practical skills in pharma operations, tablet manufacturing, pharmaceutical quality systems, manufacturing logistics and storage.
The solution offers all the necessary training materials, test assignments for continuous control and final assessment, over 60 case studies with analysis of specific production cases, seven VR business games, an internship diary, and detailed teaching guidelines. A wider use of VR technology in learning will help to take students’ professional skills to a much higher level, and, as a means of career counseling, to promote careers in the industry.
Irina Spichak’s presentation was highly praised by the members of the Council. They then decided to recommend that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health consider integrating the training solution into learning programs of relevant universities.
Established in 2014, the Presidential National Council for Professional Qualifications is chaired by Alexander Shokhin,  President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. Over the years, the Council has come to be recognized as an authority, bringing together employers, trade unions and the government in their joint effort to address the issues of developing the national system of qualifications and professional standards.