Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhDLife is like a big storybook where we find tales that make us want to do great things, stories about people who never give up, and stories that show us that age is just a number. Sijo Mathews’ journey is one such narrative!
At the age of 41, while working as a retail pharmacist in Oman, he decided to pursue the challenging Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) examination in Australia.
From Oman to Australia
Siju completed his diploma, bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree in pharmacy in India. He came to Oman in 2013 and worked as a retail pharmacist for 10 years.
Sijo aspired to become a registered pharmacist in Australia. This dream was fueled by a combination of factors, including the ease of the visa process, favourable family conditions, and a preference for Australia’s climate, which felt more akin to his home in India.
He weighed the options carefully and concluded that the Australian pharmacy exam- Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam was the right path for him.
Sijo understood that this journey would be no walk in the park, but he was determined to make it happen.
Choosing Academically
Sijo had numerous choices for his exam preparation, but he opted for Academically. The decision wasn’t solely about convenience; it was also about value. Sijo considered the cost and the duration of the course and Academically emerged as the right fit for him.
Path to Success
Studying for the KAPS exam while managing a full-time job and family responsibilities required unwavering determination and discipline.
Sijo’s daily routine involved regularly watching both live and recorded classes, dedicating 4-to 5 hours to his studies, and meticulously reading the handouts provided by Academically. He created his own notes, prepared questions, and reviewed his materials repeatedly.
Role of Academically
Sijo attributes much of his success to Academically. The mock tests provided by the institution proved invaluable, with nearly 70% of the actual exam questions feeling familiar due to his preparation with Academically’s materials.
The clarity of concepts, assistance from dedicated staff, and the comprehensive compilation of 10 years’ worth of question papers made Academically feel like a second home on his journey to success.
Words of Encouragement
For those who might perceive the KAPS exam as daunting, Sijo Mathews offers this heartfelt advice: “This is not a tough exam. All you need to do is follow the handouts, watch the live and recorded classes provided by Academically, and work hard.”
Conclusion
Sijo Mathews’ journey from Oman to becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia at the age of 41 exemplifies the power of determination and hard work.
His story is a testament to the idea that age should never deter us from pursuing our dreams, and with the right guidance and relentless effort, success is always within reach.
As Mark Twain said, “Age is an issue of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
Sijo’s journey inspires us all to keep pushing forward, regardless of the challenges that lie ahead.
Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhD
Academically.ai is the brainchild of Dr. Akram Ahmad. He has done his PhD from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Australia. He is a self-motivated clinical pharmacist and committed lecturer with over 9 years of teaching and research experience in various subjects of medicine at the leading Universities in Australia, Malaysia, and India.
Dr. Akram is the recipient of prestigious “Best Promising Researcher Award” from the UCSI University (Malaysia). He has also published over 110 papers, book chapters, conference papers including in high-impact journals. In addition to that, he is a reviewer and editorial board member in
several journals of medicine and pharmacy.