The 50th anniversary of University of Otago pharmacy degree education marks an ''important milestone'' for the university and the Otago School of Pharmacy, school dean Prof Stephen Duffull says.
''It's been a huge journey for the university, for the school, and for the profession,'' Prof Duffull said this week.
''It's a great opportunity for the students of the school to celebrate.''
More than 200 people are expected to attend three days of pharmacy alumni celebrations, which start today. School officials said Otago University in 1963 became the first university in New Zealand and Australia to offer a four-year pharmacy degree.
Only three people were in the first Otago pharmacy graduating cohort in 1965. The current equivalent annual figure is 130.
A separate pharmacy department was established in 1970 and the current school came into being in 1991.
These days about 450 students are enrolled in Otago pharmacy courses, and about 40 are pursuing PhD study.
There will be a jubilee opening event this afternoon.
