Yogyakarta, July 9, 2026 — Five pharmacy students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) achieved international academic success by completing the Enhancing Quality Education for International University Impacts and Recognition (EQUITY) Student Exchange Program 2026. This global capacity-building program, funded by the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP), enabled the delegates to conduct hands-on research at three leading universities in Japan.
The delegates were placed at various research institutions according to their academic focus; Aulia Wahyuni Ramadanti is conducting her research program at the Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Enrico Bramantyo Adi Nugroho and Rifdah Basalim are carrying out their programs at the Life Science and Technology division of the Institute of Science, Tokyo, and the other two delegates, Erisa and Iffah Zakiya Yasmin, are conducting their research at the School of Pharmacy, College of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University.
Throughout the program, the students served as Special Auditors collaborating with international experts. Iffah Zakiya Yasmin, one of the five delegates who studied at Kanazawa University, completed a comparative molecular immunopharmacology research project titled “In Vitro Immunomodulatory Effects of Curcumin Derivatives on Drosomycin-Luciferase Expression in Drosophila DL1 Cells” under the supervision of Prof. Takayuki Kuraishi, Ph.D. This intensive research evaluated the Toll receptor immunomodulatory activity of structurally modified curcumin derivatives synthesized at UGM, which also involved the use of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) as a living model organism.
Rifdah Basalim completed the project “Drug Repurposing: Evaluating the Antifungal Activity of Calcium Channel Blocker Amlodipine Against Planktonic Candida Albicans” under the supervision of Prof. Susumu Kajiwara. This research also helps address the problem of discovering antifungal drugs that have become resistant by utilizing existing pharmaceutical preparations within the National Health Insurance system.
Enrico Bramantyo Adi Nugroho initiated the project “Impact of Malassezia furfur on Circadian Rhythm in PER2::LUC Mouse Colon and Human Skin Fibroblast Cells” under the supervision of Associate Prof. Kanami Orihara, PhD. This research evaluates the body rhythm of model mice and human skin fibroblast cells infected with the Malassezia fungus.
Aulia Wahyuni Ramadanti conducted a research program at the Institute of Natural Medicine under the supervision of Prof. Yoshihiro Hayakawa. During this program, she investigated the relationship between ferroptosis and breast cancer, with a particular focus on elucidating the role of ferroptosis in breast cancer development and its potential as a therapeutic target. Through this research, she gained hands-on experience in molecular biology and oncology research techniques while deepening her understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer.
The participation of these five students in the EQUITY program represents a strategic step by UGM to optimize its students’ global academic competencies in the field of pharmaceutical sciences, as well as to build sustainable collaborations for joint research publications and future strategic partnerships. Furthermore, the students’ participation serves as a tangible demonstration of UGM’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This cross-national strategic partnership between institutions in Indonesia and Japan directly contributes to the achievement of SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. Moreover, this program represents a concrete step toward realizing SDG 4 on Quality Education by enhancing the global competencies of young researchers and facilitating the transfer of world-class pharmaceutical science technology. In addition, the focus on pharmaceutical research; the development of curcumin analogs for innovative treatments is also fully aligned with efforts to support SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being.
Writer: Gilang | Editor: Fathul
