L.P.S.V. „Aesculapius” - EN

The Royal Dutch Pharmaceutical Student Association (K.N.P.S.V.) is the umbrella organization for all (bio-)pharmaceutical students in the Netherlands. It was founded on May 22, 1903, as the ‘General Dutch Pharmaceutical Student Association’ (A.N.P.S.V.). At that time, it was the umbrella organization for the student associations "Luctor et Emergo" (Amsterdam), L.P.S.V. „Aesculapius” (Leiden), and U.P.S.V. "Unitas Pharmaceuticorum" (Utrecht). In 1905, G.F.S.V. "Pharmaciae Sacrum" also joined the A.N.P.S.V. Due to the academic restructuring in the early 1980s, the pharmacy study was discontinued in Amsterdam, and thus "Luctor et Emergo" disappeared. As a result, the A.N.P.S.V. consisted of three sections for a period of time. In 2003, when the A.N.P.S.V. celebrated its 100th anniversary, it was granted the right to bear the title ‘Royal’. Since then, our beautiful association has been known as the K.N.P.S.V. A name we are proud of, as we are the only study-related student association allowed to carry this title! Since November 14, 2020, the Association of Chemistry Students at the Vrije Universiteit (VCSVU), the student association for pharmaceutical sciences in Amsterdam, has been a member of the K.N.P.S.V., and the association now consists of four sections.

The main goal of the K.N.P.S.V. is to represent the interests of all (bio-)pharmaceutical students in the Netherlands. The K.N.P.S.V. has four main objectives.

• To promote contact between students from the four different cities through the activities of the K.N.P.S.V.
• To maintain close contacts with various professional associations. Together with these professional associations, we organize various activities where you can orient yourself towards the future and perhaps even meet your future employer!
• To represent the interests of Dutch (bio-)pharmaceutical students at an international level, within EPSA and IPSF.
• To keep up with societal issues and policies, especially new developments in the pharmaceutical world or significant decisions made by the government. We keep you informed via our social media channels, so be sure to follow us to stay updated!

The K.N.P.S.V. organizes various activities through its committees. The main event is the annual K.N.P.S.V. Congress, organized by the Congress Committee during the Ascension Day weekend. The Congress offers a great mix of educational and social activities, including a symposium, workshops, a sports activity, goodwill activity, and the Congress General Assembly. Additionally, the International Committee organizes the TWIN (see below), the Sports Committee organizes a Sports Day and Hockey Tournament every year, the association magazine Folia Pharmaceutica is published four times a year, and every two years a Career Day is organized. These committees consist of members from one city or are intercity. If you're interested in joining a K.N.P.S.V. committee, you can always approach the board of the K.N.P.S.V. at one of the activities of L.P.S.V. „Aesculapius”, or fill out the interest form on our website: knpsv.nl.

The K.N.P.S.V. is a member of two international associations for (bio-)pharmaceutical students: the European Pharmaceutical Students' Association (EPSA) and the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF).

EPSA
EPSA is the European equivalent of the K.N.P.S.V., with nearly all European countries with a pharmacy-related study being members, totaling 37 countries! With EPSA, we organize the TWIN every year, an exchange project, where we visit one country for a weekend to get to know their university pharmaceutical world and culture, and they come to the Netherlands for a weekend as well. EPSA also holds an international congress twice a year, each time in a different country. During these congresses, there is an educational program to attend, but there are also plenty of social and cultural activities. Every summer, EPSA organizes a Summer University that takes place in a warm European country. The Summer University lasts seven days and is the perfect way to combine your vacation with study-related activities and meet international (bio-)pharmaceutical students.

IPSF
IPSF has 88 countries. Also, through IPSF, the global organization for (bio-)pharmaceutical students, various projects are organized. For example, an annual World Congress is held, similar in format to an EPSA congress. Additionally, it is possible to undertake an international internship through the Student Exchange Program (SEP). This program offers (bio-)pharmaceutical students the opportunity to complete an internship in a pharmacy in a country of their choice for a few weeks to months. These internships typically take place in the summer, so you don't miss any classes. It's a great opportunity to experience pharmacy in your dream country and combine it with a wonderful vacation!

At least three times a year, the board of the K.N.P.S.V. organizes a General Assembly (GA) for all its members. The board explains what they have been working on, and discussions are held regarding decisions and proposals. During the GA, members can have a significant influence on the association's policies. So, don't hesitate to make your voice heard and participate in the GAs!