Student Learning Outcomes

By completing the Drug Discovery & Innovation HUB project, students should be able to:

Research → Identify and investigate meaningful problems.

Analyse → Interpret scientific evidence and data.

Evaluate → Assess evidence, feasibility, risks and impact.

Innovate → Develop creative pharmaceutical solutions.

Collaborate → Work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Communicate → Present and defend research ideas professionally.

Reflect → Identify limitations and opportunities for improvement.

From Student Ideas to Real-World Innovation

Research • Discover • Innovate • Communicate • Lead

The Drug Discovery & Innovation HUB Project Completion Planner is designed to help Pharm-D students and teams systematically complete their research and innovation projects within the prescribed timeline.

The planner provides students with clear goals, weekly tasks, deliverables, deadlines and academic checkpoints, supporting both the In-House Competition and Mid-Term Project evaluation requirements.

Project Completion Timeline

November 2026 — Ideation & Research Foundation Goal:

Select a research topic, define the problem and establish a strong research foundation.

Week 1–2

• Brainstorm research and innovation ideas.
• Finalize the problem statement.
• Assess originality, relevance and potential impact.

Week 3–4

• Conduct a structured literature review.
• Evaluate feasibility, resources and potential risks.

Expected Deliverables

• Approved project idea summary
• Problem statement
• Literature review draft

Responsible: All Team Members + Team Leader

December 2026— Methodology Design & Initial Work

Goal:

Develop a detailed methodology and initiate preliminary research work.

Week 1–2

• Design the research methodology.
• Identify tools, techniques and data sources.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and interdisciplinary integration.

Week 3–4

• Set up experiments, simulations or research activities.
• Begin preliminary data collection.

Expected Deliverables

• Methodology outline
• Experimental/research plan
• Initial data log

Responsible: Team Leader + Faculty Mentor

January 2027— Data Collection & Analysis

Goal:

Develop reliable datasets and begin critical analysis of findings.

Week 1–2

• Continue experiments or data collection.
• Maintain appropriate quality-control procedures.

Week 3–4

• Begin data analysis.
• Prepare tables, graphs and preliminary findings.
• Identify limitations, risks and possible sources of error.

Expected Deliverables

• Updated dataset
• Preliminary data-analysis report

Responsible: Research Leader + Faculty Mentor

February 2027 — Report Drafting

Goal:

Prepare draft reports for academic review and feedback.

Week 1–2

• Prepare the draft In-House Competition Report.

Week 3–4

• Prepare the draft Mid-Term Project Report.
• Develop preliminary viva/presentation preparation notes.

Expected Deliverables

• Draft In-House Competition Report
• Draft Mid-Term Project Report

March 2027 — Feedback & Finalization

Goal:

Improve the project reports and prepare for final presentation.

Week 1–2

• Submit drafts for academic/faculty feedback.
• Incorporate recommended revisions.

Week 3–4

• Prepare presentation slides.
• Finalize reports and supporting materials.

Expected Deliverables

• Revised final reports
• Presentation slides

Responsible: Team Leader + Faculty Mentor

April 2027 — Presentation & Submission

Goal:

Complete final submission and demonstrate the project through presentation and viva.

Week 1

• Rehearse the presentation.
• Practice viva questions and answers.

Week 2

• Submit final reports and presentations.

Week 3–4

• Deliver final presentation and viva.
• Complete any final corrections or adjustments.

Expected Deliverables

• Submission confirmation
• Final project presentation
• Viva completion

Responsible: All Team Members + Faculty Mentor + Research Leader

Student Discovery & Innovation Assessment

Assessment Framework

The Drug Discovery & Innovation HUB uses structured assessment criteria to evaluate students' research, innovation, scientific reasoning, communication and teamwork.

Formative Assessment

Assessment ComponentWeight/MarksQuiz10 MarksIn-House Competition40%Mid-Term Project40%Other Formative Components10%Total100 Marks

The final weightage should be applied according to the approved institutional assessment policy.

In-House Competition — Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation CriterionTotal MarksOriginality of Idea15Problem Identification & Relevance10Innovation in Methodology10Scientific Rationale & Feasibility15Impact & Practical Application20Interdisciplinary Integration10Critical Thinking & Risk Analysis10Presentation & Communication10Total100

Mid-Term Project — Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation ComponentTotal MarksProject20Viva10Molecular Study Design15Innovation Day Pitch Presentation15Teamwork20Peer/Expert Feedback20Total100

Main Areas for Evaluating Drug Discovery & Innovation Projects

1. Originality of Idea

Novel Concept or Hypothesis

The project introduces a new idea, method, product, model or approach relevant to pharmacy or healthcare.

Unique Perspective

The project provides a fresh perspective or proposes an improved approach to an existing pharmaceutical, clinical or healthcare problem.

2. Problem Identification & Relevance

Real-World Problem

The project clearly identifies an important pharmaceutical, healthcare, clinical or community problem.

Relevance to Pharmacy

The project demonstrates relevance to areas such as:

• Pharmacotherapy
• Clinical pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical sciences
• Drug discovery
• Public health
• Patient care
• Medication safety

3. Innovation in Methodology

Creative Research Approach

Students demonstrate creativity in their research methods, models, experimental design or problem-solving approach.

Technology Integration

Where appropriate, projects may incorporate:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Digital tools
• Data analysis
• Simulation
• Mobile applications
• Computational methods

4. Scientific Rationale & Feasibility

Evidence-Based Thinking

The research rationale should be supported by credible scientific literature, research evidence, guidelines or relevant academic sources.

Feasibility

The proposed innovation should be realistically testable, implementable or scalable within available resources and ethical requirements.

5. Impact & Practical Application

Potential Health Impact

The project should demonstrate potential benefits for:

• Patient care
• Drug safety
• Disease management
• Healthcare delivery
• Pharmaceutical practice

Scalability & Sustainability

Students should consider whether the innovation can be adapted, expanded or sustained beyond the initial project setting.

6. Interdisciplinary Integration

Cross-Disciplinary Innovation

Students are encouraged to integrate pharmacy with relevant fields such as:

• Biotechnology
• Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Public Health
• Psychology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Healthcare Management

Collaborative Thinking

The project should demonstrate effective teamwork and, where appropriate, collaboration with other healthcare or scientific disciplines.

7. Critical Thinking & Risk Analysis

Identification of Limitations

Students should recognize the limitations, uncertainties, ethical considerations and potential risks associated with their project.

Problem-Solving

Students should propose realistic strategies for overcoming anticipated challenges and improving the feasibility of their innovation.

8. Presentation & Communication

Clear Communication

Students should communicate their research idea, methodology, findings and innovation in a logical, concise and convincing manner.

Visuals & Prototypes

Where applicable, students are encouraged to use:

• Research posters
• Graphs and tables
• Molecular models
• Product prototypes
• Demonstrations
• Digital simulations
• Infographics

Recommended Innovation Assessment Tools

1. Scoring Rubric

Each evaluation criterion may be assessed using a standardized 1–5 performance scale to provide transparent and consistent feedback.

2. Innovation Pitch

Students may present their innovation in a “Shark Tank-style” pitch format, allowing them to demonstrate:

Problem → Solution → Innovation → Evidence → Impact → Feasibility → Business/Implementation Potential

3. Peer & Expert Feedback

Where feasible, projects may be evaluated or reviewed by faculty members, industry professionals, clinical experts, researchers or other relevant subject specialists.

This provides students with real-world feedback and strengthens the professional relevance of their projects.