News

'Father of pharmacy' honoured with
an honorary doctorate

Prof Antoon Goossens, the man quite rightly regarded as the father of pharmacy at the North-West University, was honoured on 16 May 2008 with an honorary doctorate for his pioneering work in the establishment and development of the faculty of pharmacy.

Goossens was dean of the faculty for ten years running, but although retired in 1993, he is still regarded as an important leader in the field of pharmacy in South Africa.

His exceptional contribution in establishing the faculty as the best educational and research institution for the pharmaceutical science gave him international status. Goossens also contributed to the establishment of a co-operative centre for quality assurance of medicine, which was also responsible for contributions on behalf of the World Organisation (WHO) to South Africa and Africa. He was also instrumental in the development of the Research Institute for Industrial Pharmacy, which, in co-operation with the WHO, the US Government as well as the pharmaceutical industry (nationally and internationally) is responsible for exceptional research in the field of HIV/Aids and malaria.

Prof Goossens started his academical career in 1966 at the Puk campus as a lecturer. During his illustrious career of nearly 30 years, he was instrumental in the establishment of the School of Pharmacy with five majors, i.e. Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice.

During his career, Goossens was also appointed in various other academical and managerial positions in the pharmaceutical world, such as a foundation member and first chairman of the South African Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

In a broader context, Prof Goossens played a major role in establishing the pharmaceutical profession in South Africa and his contributions were emphasised with his nomination as Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of South-Africa. He is also a lifelong honorary member of the South African Association for Cosmetic Pharmaceutics.

On numerous occasions, he was appointed by the minister of health as a member of the Medicine Control Board and the South African Board of Pharmacy. He also held the highest position in the pharmaceutical environment by being president of the South African Pharmaceutical Council.

This pioneer is still busy in the academical environment with the translation of graduate pharmacy students’ curricula. Prof Goossens, now 72 year of age, is married to Bets and they have three children, Antonie, Ignatius and Judith.

Prof Antoon Goossens (second from left) with previous
heads of department of the School of Pharmacy. On the
left is Prof Chris van Wyk, Prof Boeta Koeleman (ex
dean) and Prof Douglas Oliver, present school director.