MEDAN, August 9, 2026 — The Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving academic quality and students' international competitiveness through the Student Outbound: Research & Collaboration program, which was conducted at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, and Bangi.
The activity, which took place from July 12 to August 9, 2026, was attended by seven students from the Faculty of Pharmacy USU, namely Clarysa Edelyn Wangsa, Crystalin Natalie Simone, Mandy Sachi, Brenda Vanssa Wijaya, Evelyn Felicia, Kevin Stanley, and Stanley Lauwins. The program aimed to provide global academic experience, broaden research perspectives, exchange knowledge, and build cross-country academic networks.
During the program, the seven students were divided into three research teams. One team conducted research activities in Bangi, Malaysia, while the other two teams carried out research in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This division provided students with opportunities to participate directly in various research activities according to their respective fields and the available laboratory facilities.
Throughout the program, students gained research experience in several areas of pharmacy, including formulation technology, histology, and cell culture. In formulation technology, students learned and practiced preparing cream formulations using coconut oil and olive oil-based ingredients. This activity provided students with experience in applying formulation theories previously learned in lectures to laboratory research practices.
In histology, students learned tissue observation processes to examine the toxicity of drug samples administered to laboratory white rats (Rattus norvegicus). This experience provided students with an understanding of the application of histological methods in supporting research and evaluating the safety of drug samples.
In addition, students gained experience in cell culture by learning and conducting research practices using cancer cells and umbilical cord cells. These activities broadened their understanding of cell culture techniques and their applications in pharmaceutical research.
Beyond learning research methods, students also had the opportunity to use various analytical instruments that they had previously studied primarily in theory during lectures. During the activities, students learned and practiced using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) instruments.
The experience of using these instruments was an important part of the students' learning process, providing opportunities to directly understand their working principles, operation, and applications in pharmaceutical research. Thus, students gained not only conceptual understanding but also practical experience in a research environment that supports the development of scientific competencies.
In addition to conducting research, the students also had the opportunity to learn about research activities in several UKM laboratories, including the Bioserasi Laboratory, Toxicology Laboratory, Tissue Culture Laboratory, and Histology Laboratory. This experience introduced students to an international research environment and laboratory facilities.
Through this Student Outbound program, students not only gained knowledge and research skills but also learned to adapt and work in an international academic environment. This experience is expected to equip students of the Faculty of Pharmacy USU to develop their competencies, expand academic networks, and produce innovations in the field of pharmacy.
The Student Outbound program of the Faculty of Pharmacy USU to UKM also supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, through the development of pharmaceutical sciences and research with the potential to support health innovation.
This activity is also in line with SDG 4: Quality Education, as students gain research experience, access to laboratory facilities, and international-level academic learning opportunities.
Furthermore, the collaboration between the Faculty of Pharmacy USU and UKM also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the exchange of knowledge, experience, technology, and scientific innovation across countries.