Auckland Pharmacy Students' Association

The Auckland University Students’ Association (ASPA) is a branch of the New Zealand Association of Pharmacy Students. Each year, a group of executive members are elected from the student body. Their main function is to represent Pharmacy students in all aspects of student life and to facilitate social, sporting, cultural and academic activities.

Annual events that are organised by APSA include inter-year sporting competitions, class dinners, pub crawls, the formal staff-student Gala ball. These events promote opportunities to meet fellow BPharm students from other years and provide a welcome break from the academic side of university. Our yearly charity events include the previous Pharmacy idol and Pharmacy revue, a variety show with all proceeds going to the Cancer Society. APSA also runs yearly Interns night in addition to helping out with the monthly Continuing Education lectures. Another highlight in the APSA calender is the annual Fresher’s Camp which is held before Semester One lectures commence and is fully run by the APSA executives. Fresher’s Camp aims to provide the new intake of Pharmacy students with a chance to meet classmates before the academic year starts, plus the opportunity to get to know the execs so they will know a friendly face around campus.

There are two appointed class representatives from each year whose main duty is to represent their class. Representatives need to display leadership, confidence and have good communication skills to be able to articulate to the class about any upcoming events and report problems with courses to relevant staff members. They are expected to attend weekly APSA meetings as well as Staff Student Committee meetings. Being a class rep is an excellent opportunity to; witness and partake in the  ’behind the scenes’ of the students’ association, be the voice for your class year and provide the opportunity to associate with teaching staff. An added bonus is that being a Class rep will look good on your CV!

Throughout the year the APSA execs are constantly working to find new sponser to lower the cost of events. Thus, each year we rely heavily on the generosity of sponsers such as various drug and health companies and pharmacies to lower the cost of the events that we run. The support of our sponsors also assists in the production of ‘Pharmag’, the Pharmacy end-of-year magazine. Details of all events plus featured sponsors and exciting competitions will be outlined in our monthly e-newsletter ‘The Script’, a new feature recently added.

Membership is $30 per year and this entitles you to a bagful of goodies and discounts for all the APSA events throughout the year. Joining up to be part of APSA to make the most of your time at Pharmacy School.