Principal of a leading institute, Dr. Moh. Rizwan Khan is an award-winning educator with multiple publications, patents, and the IPA Best Principal Award. He previously earned the Best Executive Award in pharma marketing and leads an institute with a 100% placement record.

Dr. Moh. Rizwan Khan is the Principal of Shivajirao Kadam Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, located in Indore.

The institute offers programs such as B.Pharm, M.Pharm, and D.Pharm in the field of Pharmaceutics. Established in 2019, the institute has consistently produced skilled professionals who contribute meaningfully to society. Remarkably, it boasts a 100% placement record for students pursuing Pharmaceutics, reflecting its strong academic foundation and industry-oriented training.

At Shivajirao Kadam Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Indore, the focus is not only on producing capable pharmacists but also on equipping students with the skills and confidence to secure meaningful employment. Principal Dr. Khan states that the institution is committed to nurturing students into competent professionals ready to contribute to the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Khan shares with pride that the institute is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a 16-station Punching Machine by Proton, a model commonly used across pharmaceutical industries. This allows students to gain practical, hands-on experience with industry-relevant equipment right on campus. In addition, sophisticated instruments such as UV and HPLC systems from Shimadzu Corporation—featuring the latest models—are made available to students. These tools help them develop deep technical knowledge, especially in high-demand areas like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), which is often a critical requirement in pharmaceutical roles.

Beyond academics, the institute actively promotes entrepreneurship and innovation. Through its Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), students are introduced to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship—how to start a business, develop entrepreneurial mindsets, and manage innovative, real-world projects. These include not only pharmaceutical projects but also interdisciplinary ventures, encouraging students to explore diverse areas and potentially become successful entrepreneurs. With the rising importance of startups in today’s world and increasing government support, the institute places strong emphasis on nurturing entrepreneurial skills.

The institute also runs an active National Service Scheme (NSS), which instills in students a sense of responsibility towards the nation. Under NSS, students participate in various socially beneficial activities—such as awareness drives, health camps, and community outreach initiatives—helping them evolve into socially responsible and conscientious citizens.

Additionally, research and innovation are core priorities for the institute. The institution encourages research based on traditional Indian knowledge systems, aligning with the new National Education Policy introduced by the Government of India. Students are supported in developing research-based products and are guided through the process of filing patents and publishing research papers.

In essence, the institute offers students valuable exposure to both industry practices and research opportunities, helping them build strong foundations for successful careers in pharmacy and beyond.

According to Dr. Khan, the pharmaceutical sector in India provides a wide range of government career options, including roles such as Drug Inspector, Food Inspector, Drug Analyst, and Pharmacist. Ambitious students can even pursue research careers in prestigious national organizations like the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and the CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research).

He highlights that India is the world’s largest exporter of pharmaceutical products and has a thriving pharma industry, making it the third-largest pharmaceutical market globally. Major multinational companies like Cipla, Cadila, Glenmark, Nicholas, Piramal, Lupin, and Mylan offer diverse career opportunities across departments such as production, quality control, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and formulation and development (F&D).

Principal of Shivajirao Kadam Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Dr. Khan also emphasizes the entrepreneurial potential within the field. A qualified pharmacist can open a medical shop—a right exclusive to pharmacists under the Indian Constitution. They can also start a wholesale business, pharmaceutical manufacturing unit, medicinal farming, or a medicinal extraction unit.

Furthermore, students interested in academia and research can pursue higher education and research careers abroad. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, and the UK have high demand for pharmaceutical researchers and offer rewarding opportunities in this domain.

Dr. Khan believes that the pharmaceutical field is not only diverse and dynamic but also offers a strong foundation for both professional stability and innovation-driven growth.

Talking about his own achievements, Principal Dr. Moh. Rizwan Khan shares that he began his career in the pharmaceutical industry, where he was recognized as a top performer and honored with the Best Executive Award in the field of Marketing. Transitioning into academia, he made significant contributions to research, with numerous publications and patents to his credit, and has actively participated in various national and international conferences. His excellence in education was acknowledged when he received the Best Principal Award at the IPA (Indian Pharmaceutical Association) Conference. Additionally, he has authored several books, further solidifying his impact in the academic sphere.

Speaking about what inspired him to enter the pharmaceutical field, Dr. Moh. Rizwan Khan shares that after completing his higher secondary education from St. Mary's Convent School, Dewas, he explored various career options. He ultimately chose the pharmaceutical field because of its vast scope and the numerous opportunities it offers to students.

Reflecting on his early years, Dr. Rizwan shares that he was born in Bhopal, but spent most of his childhood in Dewas due to his father’s transferable job. He completed his schooling at St. Mary’s Convent School, Dewas, where he created countless memories. Actively involved in extracurricular activities, he participated in football, badminton, chess, volleyball, and basketball, and even represented his school at various national-level competitions. Notably, he competed in football at the national level and achieved significant success.

What he treasures most from those years, however, is the time spent with his friends — participating in activities, traveling to different places together, and building bonds that have lasted over the years. Many of those friendships remain strong to this day.

Additionally, Dr. Moh. Rizwan shares that after completing his twelfth grade, he pursued a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) from Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science (SGSITS), Indore. He holds many fond memories from his time there, and mentions that several of his friends from SGSITS are now settled abroad, while others are serving in reputed institutions in prominent positions.

He began his professional career in the field of marketing, working with Solus Ranbaxy as a Marketing Executive for two years. Following this, he went on to pursue a Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm) from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), School of Pharmacy, Bhopal.

His academic career continued as he stepped into teaching, beginning his career as a lecturer. He later completed his PhD from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore, with his research focusing on antifungal drugs.

Talking about his role models, Dr. Khan shares that he has been deeply inspired by his mentor, Prof. Piyush Trivedi. It was Prof. Trivedi's unwavering energy, dedication, determination, and discipline that left a lasting impact on him. Dr. Rizwan not only imbibed these values but also adopted his mentor’s approach to work and leadership.

A quote that has guided him throughout his life —

“Punctuality is the passport to success”

— was shared by his father. Dr. Rizwan holds this principle close to his heart and consistently follows it in both his personal and professional life. He also encourages his students to embrace punctuality, assuring them that it is a key ingredient in achieving success.

Dr. Rizwan Khan has a powerful message for the younger generation: learn something new every day and maintain regular attendance. He emphasizes that consistent participation in academics—attending lectures and practical sessions—is key to achieving success. According to him, regularity and punctuality are non-negotiable values that pave the way to success.

He firmly believes that nothing is impossible in life if one is determined. He often tells his students that while pharmacy may seem challenging at first, it becomes manageable with the right mindset and consistent effort.

To illustrate this, he shares the inspiring story of his friend Abdul, who came from a Hindi-medium background and pursued his B.Pharm from SGSITS. Despite the initial language barrier, Abdul went on to crack GRE and TOEFL, secured admission at the University of Virginia, completed his MS, followed by a PhD from the University of Arizona, and even pursued a post-doctoral degree. For Dr. Rizwan, Abdul’s journey is proof that determination can overcome any obstacle.

Lastly, he offers practical advice to aspiring students: before selecting any career path, it’s crucial to evaluate whether the course aligns with your personal strengths and interests. He strongly recommends conducting a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) before choosing a course or institute. He urges students to thoroughly research the credibility of institutions—checking for NAAC accreditation, laboratory facilities, placement records, and the strength of the alumni network. According to him, an informed decision at this stage lays the foundation for a successful career.