Yogyakarta, June 4, 2026 – The Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) organized a Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) Networking & Information Session in collaboration with the Faculty of Science, Leiden University, the Netherlands, on Thursday (June 4). The event was part of ongoing efforts to introduce international doctoral study opportunities developed through collaboration between the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM, the Faculty of Biology UGM, and the Faculty of Science Leiden University, with funding support from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).
The event was attended by alumni of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Biology UGM, final-year students from both faculties, and members of the public interested in pursuing doctoral studies in the fields of life sciences, biology, and pharmacy. Through this session, participants received firsthand information regarding study opportunities, application procedures, and the various preparations required to participate in the collaborative doctoral program between UGM and Leiden University.
The session featured Prof. dr. Erik H.J. Danen as the keynote speaker. Prof. Danen is a Professor of Cancer Drug Target Discovery in the Division of Drug Discovery & Safety and serves as the Dean of the Graduate School of Science at Leiden University. During the information-sharing session, he introduced the various research opportunities available at Leiden University, particularly within the areas of expertise and focus of the Faculty of Science.
In his presentation, Prof. Danen emphasized that one of the key factors for success in pursuing doctoral studies is having a clear understanding of one’s research interests and ensuring strong research alignment with the expertise and research focus of prospective supervisors at the host university. He also provided an overview of the application process, including identifying a research topic, finding a suitable supervisor, and preparing a research proposal that aligns with the needs and interests of the target research group.
The Joint Doctoral Program introduced during this event represents one form of international collaboration between the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM, the Faculty of Biology UGM, and the Faculty of Science Leiden University. The program aims to strengthen research capacity, enhance academic mobility, and produce doctoral graduates capable of contributing to the advancement of science at the global level. Support from LPDP is expected to create broader opportunities for Indonesian students and alumni to access world-class doctoral education.
In addition to serving as an information-sharing platform, the event also provided an opportunity to build academic networks between prospective doctoral candidates and academics from both institutions. Through the growing collaboration between UGM and Leiden University, it is hoped that more collaborative research initiatives will emerge, contributing significantly to scientific advancement and addressing various global health challenges.
This activity is aligned with the commitment of the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through expanding access to high-quality international education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through strengthening research and innovation capacity, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the development of global academic partnerships that advance science and technology.
Writer: Tiara | Editor: Fathul | Photo: Gilang
