North South University (NSU) concluded the International Conference on Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICPS 2026) and the 13th season of City Bank Presents Pharma Fest 2026, co-powered by ZEEHO CFMOTO, on 12 October, marking the 20th anniversary of NSU’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The three-day conference brought together academics and researchers from 11 countries, with 30 international speakers, researchers and investigators participating in discussions on pharmaceutical innovation and global health. The festival showcased students’ knowledge, creativity and engagement with sustainability through various academic and extracurricular competitions.

The closing ceremony featured Mr. Rabbur Reza, Chief Operating Officer of Beximco Pharmaceuticals PLC, as Chief Guest. Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU, chaired the session. Other distinguished guests included Professor Mohammad Hossain Shariare, Chairman of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Conference Chair; Dr. Nusaibah Abdul Rahim, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, and Conference Co-chair; Professor Dr. Dipak Kumar Mitra, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences, NSU; and Professor Nasar U. Ahmed, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of NSU.
 
In his address, Mr. Rabbur Reza emphasised that the value of pharmaceutical innovation lay in its ability to reach people and improve lives. He said, “The true measure of any innovation, discovery or research lies in three questions: Who can afford it? Who can access it? And whose life can it change? Medicine is not just about scientific sophistication; it is about how many lives we can improve and how many people we can reach.”

Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury expressed his gratitude to the participants and organisers, noting the conference's international reach. He said, “I sincerely thank all participants, organisers and contributors. The representation of 11 countries and participation of 30 international speakers, researchers and investigators have made ICPS 2026 a valuable platform for global academic collaboration and scientific exchange.”

The program also featured addresses by Conference Chair Professor Mohammad Hossain Shariare, Conference Co-chair Dr. Nusaibah Abdul Rahim, and Special Guests Professor Dr. Dipak Kumar Mitra and Professor Nasar U. Ahmed. Mr. Adit Muktadir Pavel, Faculty Advisor of the North South University Pharmaceutical Club (NSUPC), delivered the vote of thanks. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of awards to the winners of the conference and festival competitions, followed by a cultural program.

Organised by the North South University Pharmaceutical Club (NSUPC) in collaboration with the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharma Fest 2026 featured inter-university debate and olympiad competitions, poster presentations, a stall exhibition, a Pharma Walk and cultural performances, including a concert by Pritom Hasan.

In the Pharma Debate 2026, BRAC University Team B emerged as champion. The winning team comprised Rubaba Hafiz Shoshi, Arsha Rashid and Fahmida Afsan Chowdhury. Arsha Rashid was named Debater of the Final. NSU Team A, represented by Lamisa Nusrat, Sarah Zubayer and Ahmed Ibrahim, secured first runner-up. At the same time, UIU Team A, comprising Yusuf Ibrahim Khan, Janita Islam Jarin and Sadia Jahan Tasmim, placed second runner-up.

In the Pharma Olympiad, NSU Team A became champion, with Fahim Bin Hamid Tamal and Nafisa Nawal representing the team. NSU Team B, comprising Sadia Ishrak Rida and Md. Asif Aktab Chowdhury, secured first runner-up. Noakhali Science and Technology University placed second runner-up, represented by Chayan Kur and Salma Jafrin.

The Pharma Fest Stall Exhibition 2026 recognised PharMatrix as champion, followed by AcuNova in second place, and The Carbon Cure in third place.

ICPS 2026 was organised by NSU’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, from 10 to 12 October under the theme “Innovations in Pharmaceutical Sciences for Global Health Advancement.” Pharma Fest 2026 followed the theme “Sustainability” and the tagline “Conserve Today, Thrive Tomorrow.”

The festival was supported by The City Bank PLC as Title Sponsor and ZEEHO CFMOTO as Co-Sponsor. Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited was the Platinum Sponsor, while Everest Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC and Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. were Diamond Sponsors. Renata PLC sponsored the Olympiad; DBL Pharma supported the debate competition; UniMed UniHealth Pharmaceuticals and Study Net were Gold Sponsors; and Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited, Apex Pharma Ltd., Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, and Radiant Pharmaceuticals Limited were Silver Sponsors.