Mapúa MCL BS Pharmacy Program Chair represents the Philippines in Pharmacy World Congress through scholarship
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) celebrates Prof. Micko D. De Guzman, pharmacist, educator, Pioneer Faculty, and Program Chair of the BS Pharmacy program under the College of Health Sciences, as the only Filipino awardee selected for the 2026 International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Early Career Leadership Development (ECLD) Scholarship.
Through the scholarship, Prof. De Guzman participated in the 84th FIP World Congress in Montreal, Canada, which brought together pharmacy professionals, educators, researchers, and leaders from around the world last August 30 to September 2, 2026.
“Attending the FIP Congress is truly a dream come true for me,” Prof. De Guzman shared. “I am deeply grateful to the FIP Foundation for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the 84th FIP World Congress in Montreal, Canada through the 2026 Early Career Leadership Development (ECLD) Scholarship.”
A pharmacist and Master of Arts in Health Professions Education student at the University of the Philippines Manila, Prof. De Guzman focuses on curriculum development, instructional design, and research in pharmacy education. He also serves as President of the Young Pharmacists Group (YPG) Philippines and contributes to national pharmacy initiatives through the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA).
The ECLD Program and FIP World Congress gave Prof. De Guzman the opportunity to learn from global pharmacy leaders, connect with fellow pharmacists, and exchange ideas on pharmacy practice and education.
As the only Filipino awardee, Prof. De Guzman also carried the pride of representing the Philippines on the international stage.
“I am proud to represent the Philippines and to bring back meaningful insights, experiences, and connections that can help contribute to the development of our pharmacy workforce,” he shared.
As a faculty member and academic leader at Mapúa MCL, Prof. De Guzman hopes to bring his learnings from the experience back to the BS Pharmacy program and share them with his students and colleagues.
“This opportunity strengthens my commitment to continue working for the advancement of pharmacy education and to support the growth of young pharmacists in our profession,” he said.
His experience also reflects Mapúa MCL’s support for faculty development and global engagement. By learning from pharmacists around the world, Prof. De Guzman can bring new ideas and perspectives to the classroom and help students gain a broader view of the pharmacy profession.
“More than anything, I look forward to learning, sharing, and building friendships with pharmacists from around the world who share the same goal of improving healthcare through our profession,” he said.
Prof. De Guzman also expressed his sincere gratitude to Mapúa MCL and the College of Health Sciences for their trust and unwavering support throughout his professional journey, which made opportunities such as this possible.
Through this international opportunity, Prof. De Guzman continues to support the growth of pharmacy education while inspiring future pharmacists to learn, connect, and contribute to the profession.
