Beyond the dispensary: a journey of purpose

While serving as treasurer of the Taylor’s University Student Council, Ng Kar Weng was selected to attend a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative town hall hosted by former United States president Barack Obama – an opportunity he describes as one of the most memorable of his university years.

One message from that town hall stayed with him: the strength of young people lies in continually asking “why”.

“That mindset encouraged me to approach challenges with curiosity, think critically, and seek better ways of improving healthcare and patient outcomes throughout my career,” said Ng, an alumnus of Taylor’s University Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) programme.

That curiosity has since taken him from clinical pharmacy practice in Malaysia to postgraduate study on a prestigious international scholarship, and now to a fully funded PhD in pharmacometrics at a leading Australian university.

Along the way, he has contributed to research that has helped inform efforts to optimise treatment for vulnerable patient populations.

A foundation built on exposure

Ng’s interest in pharmacy began with a personal experience: watching his grandfather battle colorectal cancer, which sparked his curiosity about how medicines work in the body.

At Taylor’s University, he gained exposure across community pharmacy, tertiary hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry before securing an internship with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company through the university’s industry partnerships.

Alongside his studies, Ng took on leadership roles within the institution’s Pharmacy Students’ Society, Student Council and the Malaysian Pharmacy Students’ Association.

His commitment to both academic excellence and holistic development was recognised when he received the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society-CCM Gold Medal in 2017 as Taylor’s Outstanding Pharmacy Student.

According to Jason Loo, programme director of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), Ng’s breadth of exposure was intentional.

“Many students enter pharmacy with a fairly fixed idea of what the profession looks like. The programme broadens that perspective through classroom learning, attachments, alumni sharings and industry collaborations,” he said.

Learning is further strengthened through clinical attachments, case simulations and authentic patient interactions that develop not only technical competence but also empathy, communication skills and professional judgement, all the qualities expected of modern pharmacists.

As the study of pharmacy continues to evolve, graduates are contributing across regulatory affairs, medical affairs, market access and research.

Taylor’s University’s Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) is accredited by the Pharmacy Board Malaysia, ranked among the world’s top 250 for Pharmacy and Pharmacology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, and offers specialised pathways in Advanced Pharmaceutical Industry Practice and Cosmetic Science.

Research with real-world impact

Ng’s postgraduate research has already contributed to efforts to optimise treatment for vulnerable patient populations. Today, his work explores how quantitative approaches can improve medicine dosing for transplant patients, bridging research and clinical practice.

“Clinical practice taught me how to improve care for one patient at a time, while research showed me the potential to improve care for thousands more,” he said.

Looking back, Ng describes his Taylor’s University journey in three words: curiosity, perseverance and purpose.

He believes every opportunity, from student leadership and clinical attachments to postgraduate research, has shaped not only the pharmacist and researcher he has become, but also his commitment to improving patients’ lives through the safe and effective use of medicines.

“Success is not defined by the titles we earn, but by how we use the opportunities we are given,” he said.

Discover how the School of Pharmacy at Taylor’s University prepares students for careers across healthcare, research and the pharmaceutical industry here.

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