Preparing Global Health Professionals: FIKES UIN Jakarta’s Student Mobility Initiative in Malaysia

FIKES, UIN Online News— The Faculty of Health Sciences (FIKES) at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta has sent 15 selected students to participate in the 2025 Student Mobility Program at three leading universities in Malaysia. Held between November and December 2025, the program involved University College Sedaya International University (UCSI), Management and Science University (MSU), and the University of Malaya (UM), which is ranked 58th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

The Student Mobility Program was conducted in three separate cohorts, each with a distinct academic focus, ranging from pharmaceutical practice and interprofessional health collaboration to international-level pharmaceutical research. The participants came from the Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, and Professional Pharmacist programs.

Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Zilhadia, Ph.D., emphasized that student participation in the program represents a concrete implementation of the faculty’s internationalization strategy.

“This program is designed not only to enhance global competitiveness and strengthen the institution’s regional standing but also to equip students with international competencies relevant to the rapidly evolving health sector,” she stated.

According to Prof. Zilhadia, the initiative goes beyond cross-border academic exposure. It is expected to broaden students’ global perspectives while serving as a gateway to long-term strategic initiatives, including international research collaboration, joint academic publications, and future inter-institutional educational programs.

Meanwhile, the Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Cooperation, Dr. Uswatun Khasanah, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.MB., who also served as the program coordinator, highlighted the strategic importance of internationalization.

“Internationalization is not merely an institutional objective but a strategic necessity to prepare future health professionals who are adaptive, highly competitive, and capable of contributing at the global level,” she concluded.

She added that through the 2025 Student Mobility Program, students are expected to return with enhanced knowledge, skills, and global insights that will support both their academic and professional development, while also contributing to the advancement of Indonesia’s health sector.

Program Details by Cohort

Cohort 1 – UCSI University (November 3–28, 2025)
Three students from the Professional Pharmacist Program participated in a three-week mobility program at UCSI University. Activities included hospital pharmacy internships, community pharmacy placements, and visits to pharmaceutical industries.

Participants: Rizky Lestari, Dikka Ananda, and Rani Aulia Yuda.

The program objective is to strengthen practical competencies and provide direct exposure to international pharmaceutical service standards.

Gelombang 2 – Management and Science University (MSU) (17–28 November 2025)

Cohort 2 – Management and Science University (November 17–28, 2025)
The second cohort involved eight students from the Nursing, Public Health, and Pharmacy programs in a two-week program focused on interprofessional collaboration for health professionals. Activities included academic lectures and discussions, hospital and community visits, interprofessional collaboration workshops, and the preparation of draft scientific publications.

Participants: Puti Anjani Octoverina, Annisa Putri Az-Zuhrah, Ibrahim Rafi Rohadian, Callista Felicia Hartanto, Najipah Nur Aprilia Harahap, Resti Amelia Putri, Nasywa Durrun Ainaani, and Novi Fitriani.

One participant, Puti Anjani Octoverina from the Nursing program, shared that the experience at MSU provided new insights into international collaborative health practices. She also noted that students from FIKES UIN Jakarta engaged in joint activities with students and faculty from Burapha University, Thailand, further enriching their cross-cultural academic experience.

Cohort 3 – University of Malaya (December 1–12, 2025)
The final cohort took place at the University of Malaya, Malaysia’s top-ranked university. Four pharmacy students participated in a two-week research program covering pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical life sciences, and clinical pharmacy. The students were jointly supervised by faculty members from UM and UIN Jakarta, with research outcomes expected to be developed into undergraduate theses and published in international scientific journals.

Participants: Syakira Alifia Medina, Ghefira Nurshadrina, Antari Na’ilah Zulfa, and Abdurrahman Wahid Arroofiif.

(Mu'ainun Mubin/Zaenal M./Syandana Mazna Aisyah)