Yogyakarta, July 13, 2026 — The Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) UGM, officially launched Summer Course 2026, themed “Traditional Medicine Meets AI: Rooted in Heritage, Driven by Innovation.” The opening ceremony was held online via Zoom and attended by participants from across Indonesia and around the world.
The event commenced with opening remarks from the master of ceremonies, followed by welcoming speeches from the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM, who officially inaugurated Summer Course 2026, and the Dean of FK-KMK UGM. In their remarks, both deans emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global health challenges through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while preserving the rich heritage of traditional medicine.
The opening ceremony marked the beginning of a three-week academic program that brings together students, academics, researchers, and practitioners from various countries to explore the latest developments in research, innovation, and the application of AI in traditional medicine.
A total of approximately 88 participants are taking part in Summer Course 2026, which runs from July 13–31, 2026, through online and hybrid participation schemes. Hybrid participants attend online sessions during the first two weeks before joining in person at the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy in the third week for classroom activities and field-based learning. Participants represent universities and institutions from Indonesia as well as several other countries, including Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Ecuador, Portugal, and France.
Following the opening ceremony, the program continued with a keynote lecture delivered by Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Arli Aditya Parikesit, S.Si., M.Si. from the School of Health and Life Sciences, i3L University, on the topic “Traditional Medicine Meets AI.” Moderated by apt. Setyowati Triastuti Utami, S.Farm., M.Sc., Ph.D., the session explored the potential of integrating AI technologies into traditional medicine research and development.
During his presentation, Prof. Arli explained how AI can accelerate the discovery of bioactive compound candidates, facilitate biological data analysis, and predict molecular interactions to support the development of natural product-based medicines. He highlighted that integrating AI with traditional medicine research can enhance scientific innovation while preserving the scientific integrity and local wisdom that underpin traditional healthcare practices.
Through Summer Course 2026, the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM continues to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by advancing science-based traditional medicine, SDG 4 (Quality Education) through international learning opportunities, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by promoting AI-driven pharmaceutical innovation, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through cross-institutional collaboration to advance science and sustainable healthcare.
Writer: Tiara | Editor: Fathul | Photo: Summer Course Committee
