Yogyakarta, July 22, 2026 — The Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) further strengthened its international academic network by hosting a Faculty Meeting, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and welcoming Prof. Mitsunori Kirihata, Ph.D., from the BNCT Research Center, Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU), Japan, as a Visiting Professor. These activities were conducted as part of the International Joint Research Academy (IJRA) 2025/2026 grant program, led by Prof. Dr. apt. Ratna Asmah Susidarti, M.S., and represent a strategic effort to expand educational and research collaboration between the two institutions.
The Faculty Meeting, held at the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy, brought together university leaders and academics from both institutions to discuss opportunities for broader collaboration in education, research, scientific publications, faculty and student exchanges, and pharmaceutical innovation. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both universities to building a sustainable academic partnership that contributes meaningfully to the advancement of science on a global scale.
As part of the visit, the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM and Osaka Metropolitan University also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term institutional partnership. The agreement is expected to pave the way for more intensive collaboration, particularly in pharmaceutical research, international academic programs, human resource development, and knowledge exchange to advance healthcare and pharmaceutical sciences.
These activities also reflect Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research collaboration focusing on the development of cancer therapy through Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by advancing innovative healthcare solutions that improve quality of life. Guest lectures, scientific discussions, and knowledge exchange between Indonesian and Japanese academics support SDG 4 (Quality Education) by expanding access to cutting-edge knowledge and international academic experiences for both students and faculty members. Strengthening research and innovation in pharmaceutical sciences also aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), while the strategic partnership formalized through the MoU demonstrates a strong commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering sustainable global collaboration to advance education, research, and healthcare.
