Empowering Global Healthcare: Dr. Akram Ahmad's Journey From Pharmacy To Founding Academically Global

Dr. Ahmad, your journey is truly inspiring. As a student, what initially drew you to the sciences and ultimately to the field of pharmacy?

From a young age, I was drawn to the field of sciences and healthcare because I had a natural curiosity about how these phenomena work. Growing up, some of my peers aspired to join the IITs, while others were interested in their family businesses or joining a trade. I, however, had a clear vision of pursuing a career in pharmacy. My family’s aspiration to one day own a pharmacy played a role in this. I was particularly attracted to the role of a drug inspector, a government job that is accompanied by great power and responsibility and still is like a dream position for a pharmacist. The allure of being on the frontline, combating the menace of counterfeit drugs and ensuring that only genuine and safe medicines reached the public excited me. This goal required a deep understanding of pharmaceutical sciences and regulations, which further fueled my passion for the field. Overall, my decision to pursue pharmacy was a blend of personal aspirations, family influence, and a strong desire to make a difference in the healthcare sector.

What were the facilities in your school for studying sciences? How did you overcome limitations and what was your journey like until your teaching stint in Malaysia?

In my school, we only had the science stream available and our resources and exposure were quite constrained. I completed school (XII Grade) and began my journey in the field of pharmacy. I initially started with a Diploma in Pharmacy (DPharm), aspiring to become a drug inspector. However, I soon realised that a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (BPharm) was essential to advance in this career path.

During my studies, I witnessed firsthand the numerous challenges, particularly the harsh realities faced by my seniors. Even the top performers struggled to find well-paid jobs, which opened my eyes to the broader issues within our system. I harboured dreams of achieving something significant in India, constantly shifting my dream of becoming a drug inspector, then a clinical pharmacist and then just a well-earning healthcare professional, but the lack of opportunities led me to explore options abroad.

While studying pharmacy, my interest in research, especially in infectious diseases and diabetes, grew stronger. India's high mortality rates due to infectious diseases and the high prevalence of diabetes motivated me deeply. Also, my younger brother's battle with diabetes fueled my determination to dive deep into research aimed at finding potential cures. This passion eventually took me to Malaysia, where I began my teaching and research career, sharing my knowledge and learning from a diverse and rich educational environment.

What would you say about healthcare education in India today? What is the country doing right, and what needs to change?

Healthcare education in India has come a long way and many courses are of high quality. However, there are areas that need improvement, especially in aligning some programmes with international standards. For instance, while MBBS degrees from India are globally recognised, advanced degrees like MD and MS are not accepted in many countries due to differences in the duration of the study. In India, these programmes are typically three years long, whereas abroad, they often range from four to six years.

Pharmacy education also faces challenges. A Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (BPharm) from India is not directly recognised in many other countries. A standardised five-year degree programme in pharmacy that is universally accepted would greatly help Indian students. Additionally, the focus of pharmacy education in India is more industry-oriented, while in other countries, it is more clinically oriented, with more emphasis on practical expertise over theoretical knowledge.

There is also a need to enhance communication and soft skills among healthcare professionals in India. Having spent over 11 years abroad, I have observed that patient-centric care is more emphasised in other countries, primarily because it is an integral part of their healthcare education.

What gaps did you identify in the current system and what is your vision for helping young professionals achieve their aspirations?

During my PhD research on Indian diabetic patients, I frequently encountered highly educated individuals working in menial jobs due to a lack of proper guidance and opportunities. A conversation with a taxi driver who had a higher education degree but was unaware of the licensing exams required to practise in his field highlighted significant gaps in the system. Similarly, I discovered many pharmacists in Australia working in jobs unrelated to their qualifications, often due to misinformation or lack of awareness about the necessary exams and career pathways.

My vision is to empower healthcare professionals and students with the knowledge of available opportunities and provide them with the necessary guidance to advance their careers. By addressing these gaps, the aim is to ensure that deserving candidates can pursue higher education and build successful careers globally.

How did the idea of launching Academically come about, and how does it help the youth realise their career goals?

The idea of Academically inception emerged from my personal and professional experiences. Upon arriving in Sydney for my PhD, I realised that I could have registered as a pharmacist in Australia right after my B.Pharm if I had known about the KAPS exam earlier. Additionally, during my research, I came across numerous pharmacists and other healthcare professionals working in jobs that didn’t match their educational background due to a lack of proper guidance.

To address this, I started a YouTube channel to educate healthcare professionals on global career pathways. Recognising the shortage of healthcare professionals in certain areas and the lack of opportunities for competent healthcare professionals (who were unaware of licensing exams and migration pathways), I created Academically.com. This platform provides comprehensive and affordable training resources, guiding pharmacy graduates and other healthcare professionals on global opportunities and licensing exams. Academically Global aims to bridge the gap between the shortage of professionals in countries like Australia and the deserving candidates seeking career opportunities overseas. 

Since it’s a global organisation, how do you run the whole operation? To what extent is technology used vis-à-vis physical infrastructure?

Running a global organisation like Academically Global requires a blend of technology and dedicated individuals. I was fortunate to connect with a team of passionate professionals from various parts of the world, all united by the goal of empowering healthcare professionals.

We leverage cutting-edge technology to facilitate our operations. Academically Global is the first healthcare EdTech platform to connect globally registered faculty members with students from over 75 countries entirely through digital means. This digital approach allows us to operate efficiently and reach a wide audience without the constraints of physical infrastructure. Our platform is designed to be accessible and supportive, ensuring that learners from different parts of the world can benefit from high-quality education and guidance.

Is the focus of Academically more on assistance with opportunities abroad or are you also guiding students about opportunities within the country?

While there is a growing interest among students and professionals in seeking international opportunities, Academically provides guidance for both domestic and international career paths. We believe in empowering our students with knowledge about the options available to them.  India has a lot to gain, whether it is through Indian healthcare professionals pursuing a career overseas (inbound remittances) or honing their skills internationally and returning to India to implement what they have learned

Please tell us more about your efforts towards leveraging Artificial Intelligence in the EdTech space.

At Academically Global, we leverage cutting-edge AI technologies to provide a tailored educational experience that adapts to each individual's learning journey. Our platform offers personalised learning, dynamically adjusting courses and pacing based on each user's understanding levels. This ensures that learners receive the right amount of challenge and support, fostering a more effective and engaging educational experience.

We employ adaptive AI tests to measure users' abilities accurately. These assessments not only gauge performance but also provide a comprehensive SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to help learners identify their areas of improvement and capitalise on their strengths. Our AI-powered system generates detailed performance reports, giving users insights into their progress and areas that need attention. These reports are instrumental in helping learners stay on track and achieve their educational goals.

To support learners around the clock, we offer AI-based intelligent assistance. This feature, backed by a robust repository of data curated by our experts, ensures that learners have access to reliable and fact checked doubt-solving assistance anytime, anywhere.

Would you suggest students take up medical studies or other healthcare courses from an institute abroad straight after school? What would be the benefits of pursuing healthcare education from abroad?

I recommend that students complete their undergraduate studies in India in fields like medicine, nursing or pharmacy. For higher studies, they can consider going abroad. Pursuing undergraduate education in India is more cost-effective and provides a strong foundation. After graduation, students can work and gain experience overseas and then consider pursuing advanced degrees when they have received their residency.

For example, pharmacy graduates from India can pass a simple KAPS exam to practise in Australia. Once they gain residency, they can pursue higher studies like a Master's or PhD at a lower cost. Similarly, they can undertake a four-year MD programme in Australia to become a doctor. This approach ensures that they make informed decisions and do not end up in menial jobs despite their education.

What would be your advice to those keen to make a career in healthcare?

I advise aspiring healthcare professionals to focus on enhancing their communication and soft skills during their undergraduate studies. Effective communication is crucial in healthcare. Additionally, they should make informed decisions about their career paths, being empowered with knowledge about all available options in India and abroad.

Understanding the global landscape of healthcare can open up numerous opportunities. Aspiring professionals should seek guidance and be proactive in gaining experience and skills to make them competitive internationally. This approach will not only benefit their careers but also contribute to the advancement of global healthcare.