New digs for Gérald Godin's pharma program

Though Collège Gérald Godin's technical diploma in pharmaceutical development has been around since the last academic year, it was only yesterday the West Island's francophone CEGEP inaugurated its state-of-the-art pavilion dedicated to the program during an official ceremony attended by government and industry officials. "When the students arrive in the laboratory, it is as if they were entering a factory, since the locales and equipment reflect the reality of the industry," said program co-ordinator Michel Fafard, who was on-hand last night to offer guided tours to guests.

Fafard led officials such as Nelligan's Liberal MNA and Minister of Cultural Communities and Immigration Yolande James, as well as Education, Leisure and Sports Minister Michelle Courchesne through the various rooms of the new facilities.

The guests were visibly impressed by pavilion, which has benefited from a provincial government support of $6.8 million. "This makes me think of (pharma giant) Merck Frost," noted James during the tour.

In one room, Fafard paused to demonstrate a pill-manufacturing machine. He also walked them through a cream and liquids manufacturing room. Besides pharmaceutical labs, the pavilion also houses four class rooms, a computer lab and a student café. "If students arrive here with the idea that they're going to be help out the pharmacist behind the counter at Jean Coutu after they graduate, they learn that is not the point pretty quickly," Fafard, who also teaches in the program, said.

The first graduates of the program, who will be hitting the job market in 2011, would become production technicians working in the manufacture and packing of pills, creams, sterile products, and others at pharmaceutical, biotechnology firms, as well as in the cosmetic product and natural health product domain.

First-year student Valeri Tozzi's interest in the program was piqued after a visit to her high school by CEGEP officials. "It was my second choice," she recalled with a laugh, adding she was swayed by her love of science and the literature available by the CEGEP on the program.

Her colleague, Stéphanie Phedra Boucher, equally vouched for it, praising its hands-on, practical approach.

According to Fafard, 12 students signed up at the program's inaugural academic year in 2008-2009, and there are 19 in their second year right now.

Pre-requisites include advanced mathematics in Secondary 4, as well as science or technology classes. "The pre-requisites were set by the ministry," explained Fafard.

Links between the program and the Montreal area's strong pharmaceutical industry are already prevalent, he said, with many course teachers having had several years of experience in the field, with industry giants like Pharma-Science or Pfizer.

An equivalent program is in the works at John Abbott College, according to Jacques Cartier Liberal MNA Geoffrey Kelley, who was also present at the inauguration yesterday. "There is no firm date yet," he said, but estimated the program should be ready sooner rather than later.

Education Minister Michelle Courchesne confirmed that future program has the ministry's approval. "I've already expressed my wish for a similar program to be available in the anglophone sector," she said.