Yogyakarta, 23 September 2025 — The Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is strengthening its commitment to advancing higher education and research through international collaboration. A strategic step has been taken with an official visit to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), one of the leading institutions in Southeast Asia with a strong reputation in pharmaceutical sciences. This visit also marks an important milestone in building cross-border academic networks and addressing global challenges in education and health.
During the meeting, the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM and USM agreed upon a number of collaborative initiatives to be implemented on an ongoing basis. The areas of cooperation include teaching, research, and joint academic development. Concrete follow-up plans consist of a student internship program providing international learning experiences, the preparation of joint publications to enrich scientific literature, joint supervision and joint examiner schemes to enhance the quality of postgraduate education, as well as the organization of joint conferences to serve as platforms for knowledge exchange among academics, researchers, and practitioners.
The event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurzalina Abdul Karim Khan, Dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, USM. Also present was Prof. Dr. Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman, a senior researcher in clinical pharmacy and an influential academic at USM. Their presence reflects the strong commitment of both institutions to reinforcing academic and research collaboration. With the expertise and experience brought by both sides, this partnership is expected to deliver significant contributions not only to UGM and USM but also to the broader advancement of pharmaceutical sciences.
This collaborative initiative aligns with UGM’s vision to enhance its international competitiveness through higher education networks. By creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and innovation, the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM is not only strengthening its academic capacity but also providing broader opportunities for students and lecturers to thrive in a global academic environment.
Furthermore, this partnership is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through joint research, scientific publications, student exchanges, and institutional collaboration, the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM and USM are making tangible contributions to improving education quality, advancing healthcare, and fostering global partnerships for sustainable development.
