L.P.S.V. "Aesculapius" is the study association for the BSc "Bio-Farmaceutische Wetenschapen, the MSc "Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences" and the MSc "Pharmacy" in Leiden. „Aesculapius” orgininates from the Latin translation of the Greek Ασκληπιός, the halfgod of medicine and healing. „Aesculapius” is a lively association that has experienced strong growth in recent years. We now have about 1,600 members!
History
The Leidsche Pharmaceutical Student-Association „Aesculapius” was founded in 1885, making it the oldest study association in Leiden. Initially „Aesculapius” represented the students of Pharmacy, but unfortunately in 1985 that study at Leiden University came to an end, due to a centralization of the master's degree in Pharmacy. Of course, the faculty did not agree with this and founded the study of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (BPS) in order to prevent losing pharmaceutical knowledge. At BPS you are trained to become a drug researcher, but since 2016 it is again possible to become a pharmacist in Leiden. The Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) set up a brand new master's in Pharmacy in that year. Thus, Bachelor BFW students now have another opportunity to major in pharmacy. The new master gives the opportunity to students with a bachelor BFW (with the specialization in Pharmacy) or a bachelor Pharmacy from Groningen or Utrecht to graduate in Leiden as a pharmacist. In short, since 2016 „Aesculapius” is no longer only the study association for BFW/BPS, but together with the study association the Medical Faculty of Leiden Students (M.F.L.S.) also the study association for Pharmacy.
Contacts
„Aesculapius” has short lines of communication with the training offices of BFW/BPS and Pharmacy and with the research institute associated with the study. Furthermore, we are part of the Royal Dutch Pharmaceutical Student Association (K.N.P.S.V.), the national study association for (Bio-)Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy. Because of this we have a lot of contact with the other divisions of the K.N.P.S.V. namely the study associations G.F.S.V. "Pharmaciae Sacrum" from Groningen, the U.P.S.V. "Unitas Pharmaceuticorum" and the VCSVU from Amsterdam. In addition, „Aesculapius” naturally has many contacts with companies and institutions in the pharmaceutical world.
What has „Aesculapius” to offer?
„Aesculapius” tries to offer something for every member, regardless of his or her interests. Thus, we have a large number of educational activities such as excursions in the Netherlands and abroad, lunch lectures and symposia. For those who just want some relaxation alongside their studies, there is a range of social activities. Think of our monthly drinks, parties, first and senior year activities, first and senior year weekends, barbecues and so on. Some activitities organisez by „Aesculapius” can be found HERE!
In addition to offering many activities, „Aesculapius” does much more of course. For example, if you are a member, it is possible to order your textbooks at a discount through our website. But we also offer an association magazine called the SQ-linair (which publishes four times a year) and an annual almanac for all our members.
Would you like to develop yourself even further and get to know other aesculapae better? Then sign up for one of our many committees! Here you can broaden yourself and acquire various essential skills, as well as have a lot of fun and let your creativity run wild. More information about the committees? Then click HERE.
Do you still have questions about „Aesculapius”, activities, committees or other buisiness, then please stop by at 't Hok (our office) or send an email to bestuur@aesculapius.nl.
