Incoming Orientation
Incoming orientation activities are coordinated by the Orientation Delegate of the Pharmacy Degree Course (Class LM-13 – Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy), within the Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, as part of the support services offered by the University of Messina through the Technical Coordination Unit “Orientation and Placement”.
The Orientation Delegate organizes initiatives aimed at presenting the professional objectives, study program, and career opportunities offered by the Pharmacy degree course to secondary school students, enabling prospective students to make informed decisions about their academic path.
In addition to the Orientation Days organized by the University, an annual Open Day is held, during which students can visit the teaching facilities of the Pharmacy degree program, as well as a Freshers’ Day (Matricola Day), where the Course Coordinator welcomes newly enrolled students. Through an informal approach, key aspects of the educational program are explained (such as optimizing learning strategies, effective use of support services like tutoring, academic office assistance, administrative procedures, etc.), also fostering interaction between students and faculty and helping students feel that their academic success is a shared goal of the entire academic community.
Ongoing Orientation and Tutoring
Ongoing orientation and tutoring activities aim to address the various needs students may encounter during their university studies and serve as a link between students and the degree program.
These activities include initiatives designed to:
- encourage direct communication between students and faculty;
- improve teaching organization;
- introduce new solutions to accelerate and optimize the learning process.
Ongoing orientation and tutoring are particularly intended to:
- reduce dropout rates;
- support students in successfully completing their studies;
- narrow the gap between the official and actual duration of the degree program.
At the beginning of each academic year, each first-year student is assigned an academic tutor who provides personalized learning support, especially for students who may face greater difficulties (e.g., due to work commitments) and need structured study planning and personalized academic guidance.
The Department also provides a tutor dedicated to students with disabilities or specific learning disorders, [Go to LINK] offering guidance and support throughout the entire study period. Upon entry to the university, this tutor helps each student identify and plan the support needed to successfully complete their studies.
Support and Agreements for International Student Mobility
The Master’s Degree in Pharmacy encourages student participation in international mobility programs, mainly through European exchange programs.
- The Erasmus+ Study Mobility Program (SMS) allows students to spend part of their academic career (up to a total of 24 months) at universities in other participating European countries, where they can take exams or conduct research for their thesis.
- The Erasmus+ Traineeship Program (SMP) supports internships or traineeships (minimum duration of two months) at companies, training centers, or research institutions in participating countries, facilitating professional mobility within Europe. Recent graduates may also participate in this program.
The ChiBioFarAm Department has established numerous bilateral agreements within the Erasmus+ framework. A faculty member is designated as Erasmus mobility coordinator for the Pharmacy program, assisting students in choosing a host university, planning their study period, and completing the Learning Agreement. (LINK docenti ERASMUS).
At the university level, support is provided by the Organizational Unit for International Mobility, alongside operational units dedicated to study and traineeship mobility.
Outgoing Orientation
The Technical Coordination Unit for Orientation and Placement promotes and coordinates initiatives aimed at supporting students’ career development and facilitating their entry into the job market.
Its objectives include:
- strengthening relationships with institutional, social, and economic stakeholders;
- helping students make informed academic choices;
- providing guidance, tutoring, and support services;
- preventing dropout and delays in studies;
- encouraging active participation in university life;
- assisting graduates in transitioning to the workforce.
The University’s Career Service Unit is a key reference point for students and graduates, offering:
- post-graduate internships;
- company presentations and recruitment days;
- career planning support;
- personalized career counseling (provided by experts and psychologists).
The University of Messina is also part of the AlmaLaurea Interuniversity Consortium, which provides up-to-date data on graduates and manages an online database to facilitate job matching at national level and promote international mobility.
Regarding specific post-graduate orientation activities for the Pharmacy degree, meetings and seminars are regularly organized with professionals—particularly from the pharmaceutical sector—who present required skills and help students choose the most suitable career path.
For the pharmacist profession, the educational program of the Master’s Degree in Pharmacy, including the professional internship carried out in community or hospital pharmacies, allows graduates to acquire the necessary skills for direct entry into the job market, without the need for additional mandatory training periods.