When first-year pharmacy student Shambavi Ramachandran learned she’d been awarded a scholarship to attend the Pharmacy WA Forum, her reaction was one of disbelief and gratitude. For students like Shambavi, the early years of university can feel like drinking from a firehose—trying to stay afloat amidst lectures, exams, placements, and part-time work. A scholarship isn’t just a financial boost; it’s a signal that someone believes in your potential.
This year, thanks to a continued partnership between Raven’s Recruitment and the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA), six standout pharmacy students were awarded scholarships to attend the Pharmacy WA Forum 2025 in Perth. They were joined by two dedicated fellow WAPSA students to represent the strength of the pharmacy student community at one of the nation’s most valuable professional events.
The scholarship recipients were:
Aaliyah Puccio (Curtin University)
Sarah May Macfarlane (University of Western Australia)
Shambavi Ramachandran (University of Western Australia)
Eshika Sangwan (University of Western Australia)
Mst Rifah Tamanna Yasmin (Charles Darwin University, based in NT)
Imogen Liu (University of Sydney)
From metro campuses to remote regions, this group of students reflects the rich diversity and growing national reach of pharmacy education in Australia.
Why First-Year Scholarships Matter
For most of us who’ve been in pharmacy for a while, it’s easy to forget how tough that first year is. You’re not quite sure where you belong—still learning the language of healthcare, still finding your feet.
That’s exactly why supporting first-year students matters most.
Scholarships like these offer more than financial support; they provide students with a sense of belonging, early exposure to professional networks, and the confidence to picture themselves as future leaders in pharmacy. Attending a national forum so early in one’s academic career can reshape a student’s outlook. It’s often the first time they hear about rural pharmacy, digital health, medication safety initiatives—or even career paths they’ve never considered.
And perhaps most importantly, they see their peers from across the country navigating the same challenges, forging the same dreams.
Raven’s Recruitment x NAPSA: More Than Just a Sponsorship
For Raven’s Recruitment, this scholarship partnership isn’t just a sponsorship—it’s a long-term investment in the next generation of community pharmacists.
Raven’s has always been focused on helping pharmacists find a pharmacy job they love, but that mission extends beyond the current workforce. It includes nurturing future pharmacists—ensuring that those entering the profession are inspired, informed, and empowered.
By backing this initiative with NAPSA, Raven’s is bridging the gap between study and practice. It’s a way of saying,“We see you. We support you. And we’re here to walk with you on your journey.”
The collaboration ensures that students like Aaliyah, Sarah, Shambavi, Eshika, Rifah, and Imogen aren’t just observers—they’re active participants in shaping the future of pharmacy in Australia.
A Forum, A Future
The Pharmacy WA Forum 2025, held in early August, gave students the chance to learn from seasoned community pharmacists, hear from health tech innovators, and engage with policy leaders shaping the future of pharmacy services. But beyond the program, it’s the hallway conversations, the shared meals, the late-night brainstorms that often leave the deepest impression.
For a first-year student, being part of those moments is transformative.
Some of the recipients have already begun sharing reflections online, with formal reflections to follow. These insights will no doubt spark further learning and leadership back in their home universities.
Conclusion
At a time when the pharmacy workforce faces both opportunity and strain—from expanded scope to increasing burnout—investing in our youngest pharmacists isn’t just generous. It’s strategic.
Raven’s Recruitment and NAPSA are showing what’s possible when industry leaders and student advocates work together to support the next generation. Because tomorrow’s great community pharmacist might just be sitting in a first-year lecture today—wondering if they belong.
What might happen if more of them got the chance to find out?
📸 From L-R (back): Aaliyah Puccio, Raghad, Olivia, Kaitlyn, Mst Rifah Tamanna Yasmin, Eshika Sangwan; L-R (front): Sarah May Macfarlane, Shambavi Ramachandran
