In Conversation with Dr. M. K. Mohan Maruga Raja, Principal at East Point College of Pharmacy

East Point College of Pharmacy was established in the year 2004. EPCP, Bangalore admissions are offered for a wide range of programmes at the diploma, UG, and PG levels. East Point College of Pharmacy, Bangalore courses include D. Pharm, BPharm, Pharm.D and M. Pharm.

Dr. M. K. Mohan Maruga Raja, Ph.D., is an accomplished academician and researcher with over two decades of experience in pharmaceutical sciences. He earned his doctorate in Herbal Drug Technology from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, and holds a Master’s in Pharmacognosy from JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty.

Dr. Raja has authored 65 research publications in reputed national and international journals and holds a Google Scholar h-index of 13 and a Scopus h-index of 9, with over 700 citations. In this interview, Mr. Raja speaks about the vision, mission, infrastructure and placement process at EPCP, Bangalore.

Careers360: Tell us something about the institute; when it was set up, vision and mission

East Point College of Pharmacy (EPCP), established in 2004 under the MG Charitable Trust, is a distinguished institution committed to excellence in pharmaceutical education, research, and clinical practice. Located in East Bangalore, EPCP is affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). The college is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), ensuring high academic standards and institutional integrity.

EPCP offers a comprehensive range of programs, including Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm), and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D). These programs are designed to equip students with in-depth knowledge, practical skills, and a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, clinical applications, and research. The campus features modern infrastructure with state-of-the-art laboratories, smart classrooms, a digital library, and clinical training through East Point Hospital, offering students an immersive and holistic learning experience.

Vision
To emerge as a globally recognised institution known for excellence in pharmaceutical education and research, and for nurturing students toward holistic development.

Mission
To deliver quality education that creates competent pharmacy professionals; to foster innovation, critical thinking, ethics, and teamwork; and to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare, scientific, and economic development of society.

Careers360: Tell us something about the admission process at East Point College of Pharmacy (EPCP)?

At EPCP, admissions are simple, student-friendly, and accessible both online and offline. Students can apply online via admissions.eastpoint.ac.in by completing a quick registration and uploading the required documents. Academic Advisors guide applicants through every step of the process. For those preferring offline mode, our on-campus Admission Office offers expert counselling to help students choose the right course and specialisation.

Admission Helpline: +91 72042 29999

Careers360: What kind of infrastructure can students expect at the institute? Please elaborate?

EPCP offers a dynamic learning environment with digital classrooms and over 17 advanced laboratories. A team of qualified faculty members engages students in academics and research. The digital library hosts over 10,000 books and provides access to DELNET and HELINET, along with 17 national and international print journal subscriptions. The computer lab supports training in simulations and drug information software.

The college features a Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA)-approved animal house for research and a 150-seat seminar hall for academic events. Pharm.D. students undergo clinical training at East Point Medical College Hospital, a Level 4 teaching hospital. EPCP’s multidisciplinary campus enables collaboration with students from medicine, engineering, nursing, and management. Hostel, transport, and sports facilities are available, along with opportunities to participate in cultural and intercollegiate events.

Careers360: There is a lot of stress that is being made with regard to interaction with the industry as well as companies that recruit. What are the steps being taken by the institute in this direction?

East Point College of Pharmacy actively promotes industry readiness through its Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Cell, which conducts regular training programs to bridge the gap between academia and industry. The Institution Innovation Cell (IIC) invites industry experts to share insights on emerging trends, helping students and faculty align their learning with real-world demands. The Placement Committee organises workshops on interpersonal skills, group discussions, interview techniques, and professional confidence building. Additionally, the Alumni Cell facilitates valuable alumni interactions, offering mentorship, training support, and job opportunities through those already placed in leading organisations. Together, these initiatives ensure students are well-prepared for successful careers.

Careers360: Internships are now mandatory as per the guidelines. Does the institute help students with this? If yes, how?

At East Point College of Pharmacy (EPCP), Pharm.D. students undergo clinical internships at East Point Hospital, a Level 4 teaching hospital. For other programs, the college has established strong collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and healthcare organisations such as Medreich Limited, Purnayu Bio Science Pvt. Ltd., MedoPharm, Bioplus Life Sciences, Greenchem Biotech, and Apollo Pharmacy. Students are also placed in hospitals and retail pharmacies for hands-on training.

These formal partnerships facilitate internships, industrial visits, collaborative research, training, and placement opportunities. EPCP has signed multiple MoUs with reputed companies to strengthen industry-academia engagement. A recent collaboration with the Atal Incubation Centre (JIT Foundation), Bengaluru, further enhances innovation and entrepreneurial exposure for students.

Careers360: please share placement statistics with information on the average package, highest and lowest package, the number of students placed and details of companies that have recruited.

The Training and Placement Department at EPCP prepares students through focused training in communication, aptitude, technical skills, and interview readiness. In addition, students benefit from mock placement drives, grooming sessions, and entrepreneurship support, which help them develop industry-relevant competencies. The average package offered to students is ₹4.8 LPA, with the highest reaching ₹9.6 LPA and the lowest at ₹3.6 LPA. Recent placements include companies such as Medreich Ltd., PlasmaGen Bio Science, Apollo Pharmacy, and Omega Healthcare. Top recruiters include Biocon, Cipla, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Strides, Syngene, and several other leading pharmaceutical and healthcare organisations.

Disclaimer: This article has been published by Careers360 as a marketing initiative with East Point College of Pharmacy.