Monash University has been number number one globally in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Pharmacy and Pharmacology for the first time, making Monash Australia’s top-performing university.
It is also the first time an Australian university has taken the top position in this discipline, and Monash is the only Australian university to receive a number one position in this edition of the rankings making it the highest performing Australian university in the subject rankings this year.
Monash, however, has consistently ranked in the top three for the last five years for Pharmacy and Pharmacology, including number two in 2021.
The Faculty, known for its high profile research through Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), is responsible for the development of Australia’s first mRNA vaccine candidate for COVID-19 and in 2021 launched the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre. The NDC is an end-to-end academic enterprise for the discovery, development, evaluation, manufacture, and clinical rollout of 21st-century medicines to treat mental health disorders, as well as the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, which supports Victorian biotech and pharma companies to develop a competitive edge and retain jobs within the state.
“Not only does this ranking place us as the number one university in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, it also demonstrates the excellence of our research and education in this field, which is critical for the future health of our community,” Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC said.
“It is a testament to the leadership of Faculty Dean, Professor Arthur Christopoulos, and the commitment and dedication of all Faculty staff. I offer my sincere thanks and congratulations to all who contributed to this remarkable result.”
Mr Christopoulos himself said that “The pandemic has certainly reinforced the crucial and frontline role that pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists play in society. Over and above their normal services, we’ve seen the whole sector step up and play a huge role in vaccine rollout.
“In addition to developing Australia’s first mRNA COVID vaccine candidate, we’ve launched a number of major biotech startups, including Septerna which launched in February 2022 with $140 million (AUD) worth of Series A financing from tier-one venture capital firm Third Rock Ventures in the US, and a new Centre to address the urgent need for safer and more effective medicines to treat mental ill-health,” Professor Christopoulos added.
“We’ve evolved our pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences education programs to address the urgent global workforce demands in the rapidly expanding healthcare sector.
“It’s a dynamic vocation and we’re so proud that Monash has been recognised for its agility, resilience and global excellence in this field.”
Monash University also ranked in the top 20 list globally.
