Vijay Pillai - BSc, BPharm, PGDSc

Vijay graduated from the University with a BSc in 1999, a Postgraduate Diploma in Science in 2001, and a Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2004.

Vijay's class was the first to graduate with a BPharm from the University, and has only positive things to say about the programme.

"It was brilliantly planned, practically and theoretically, and I can't think of anyone who would say they didn't feel as up with the play as a graduating pharmacy student from another university. It absolutely stood us in good stead to start practising."

Although he originally envisaged himself working in the clinical pahramacy sector in a hospital, part-time work at an A&E clinic led to a different offer of employment.

As charge pharmacist at Kingsland Pharmacy in Auckland, Vijay is learning more about community pharmacy - and it's an opportunity he's pleased to have taken. His cutsomers are from a wide variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and that's just the way he likes it.

After 8 years' study at the University, Vijay is looking forward to travelling - though he says he'll be content with shorter trips for the forseeable future.