By Maruf Ahmed, final-year pharmacy student at the University of Bath
Pharmacy has already been incredibly rewarding for me, even at this early stage of my career. As a final-year pharmacy student at the University of Bath, I’ve been fortunate to gain experiences that have taken me beyond the classroom and into the heart of the profession. Those experiences have shaped my understanding of leadership, collaboration and inclusive practice.
The path that brought me to RPS
Last year, I worked with the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB on implementing the South West Inclusive Pharmacy Practice manifesto. This deepened my appreciation for how change is driven by people working together and opened the door to my current role with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) as an Inclusion and Diversity intern. At RPS I’ve been able to build on those foundations and engage with the profession’s commitment to equity on a national level.
Supporting inclusion and diversity work
During my internship, I supported the Inclusion and Diversity team by working on the RPS Inclusion and Diversity consultation. I was responsible for developing the survey and analysing the responses. The findings will help shape the updated Inclusion and Diversity strategy and support the organisation’s journey toward becoming a Royal College. I had the opportunity to present my findings to the National Boards, which was an experience that was both humbling and inspiring, and one of the most affirming moments of my journey so far.
Alongside this, I contributed to the South Asian Heritage Month event as a panellist, where I shared reflections on representation, engaged with sixth-form students at the IntoHealthcare programme and collaborated with the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association.
What I learned about leadership and representation
Working closely with the RPS team taught me how policy, consultation and professional standards are shaped through meaningful engagement and collaboration. I developed confidence in presenting, analysing qualitative data and communicating complex ideas clearly. What surprised me most was how valued the student perspective was — I felt genuinely heard, and my contributions shaped parts of the consultation and its direction.
Through weekly team meetings, stakeholder discussions and attending the England Pharmacy Board meeting, I gained insight into how the organisation leads national advocacy and embeds inclusion into its wider strategy.
Events like the South Asian Heritage Month panel were especially meaningful. As the first in my family to attend university, and having rarely seen South Asian representation in pharmacy, being surrounded by leaders with similar backgrounds was profoundly motivating. It reinforced why representation matters and why Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work must continue to evolve.
My advice to future RPS interns and pharmacy students
Looking back, the most rewarding part of this internship was seeing how my work contributed to a national consultation and being trusted to speak in spaces I never imagined entering as a student. It reminded me that students can offer genuine value and a fresh perspective to the profession. I also deeply valued the chance to build my network and connect with inspiring professionals, leaders and peers who have already shaped the way I see my future in pharmacy.
My advice to others is simple: take opportunities that challenge you, surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you and never underestimate the impact of your voice.
Find out more about RPS Inclusion and Diversity work.
Read more RPS blogs.