The Chitkara School of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, third and final year students successfully completed a transformative short-term course on “Leveraging Soft Skills in a VUCA World.” The course, sponsored by the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and organised by the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Panjab University, witnessed the active engagement of students from August 22nd to 25th, 2023.

In an era characterised by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA), the significance of soft skills has never been more paramount. The Chitkara School of Pharmacy recognised the need to equip its students with not only technical expertise but also the interpersonal and intrapersonal skills crucial for success in today’s dynamic world. The “Leveraging Soft Skills in a VUCA World” course, a pioneering initiative, aimed precisely at this objective.

Throughout the four-day course, students delved into an array of topics essential for excelling in a VUCA environment. These encompassed team building, judgement and decision-making, effective communication, presentation skills, emotional intelligence, youth development, gender identity, diversity and inclusion, and critical thinking. The sessions, thoughtfully designed to be interactive, included workshops and activities meticulously curated to leave a lasting impact on the participants.

At the culmination of the course, the students were bestowed with certificates as a recognition of their commitment and successful completion of the program. The tangible outcomes of the course were evident in the personal and professional growth exhibited by the participants.

Among the standout participants were Aditya Gautam, Nitin, and Jaskaran from the B.Pharmacy third-year cohort, along with Jonny, Mukul, Divya, Komal, Disha, and Ananya from the B.Pharmacy final-year cohort. These enterprising students were not only actively engaged with the course material and armed with a renewed set of skills that will undoubtedly propel their careers to greater heights.

As the world continues to evolve, the Chitkara School of Pharmacy remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing not just pharmacists but well-rounded individuals ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the VUCA world.