AIUB Public Health Dept students visit Square Pharma facility

Students from the Department of Public Health at the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) visited Square Pharmaceuticals' key manufacturing facility in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, as part of their Master of Public Health (MPH) programme.

The field trip, held on August 30, was organised under the Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety course, which emphasises learning beyond the classroom.

During the visit, students observed how the pharmaceutical giant invests in advanced machinery to reduce musculoskeletal injuries and maintain quality control standards. They also noted the facility's environmental initiatives, which earned it the National Environment Award in 2017.

The group was introduced to the unit's fitness centre, designed to promote physical and mental well-being among management staff. Dr Muhammad Wasif Alam, head of the Department of Public Health at AIUB, trained in the USA with a specialisation in occupational health and safety, highlighted the importance of similar facilities in all workplaces.

"A fitness centre including indoor sports like table tennis should be encouraged in workplaces," he said. "There should be a programme whereby employees are stimulated to participate and use the fitness centre by incentives. It's a smart way of investing in keeping our employees healthy, happy, and more productive and safer."

The students expressed their appreciation to Square Pharmaceuticals for the opportunity to learn from the industry. A written note of thanks was also shared with the company's management.