Expanding & Strengthening Regional Academic Ties: IPPT’S Working Visit To Medan, Indonesia

MEDAN, INDONESIA, July 7 2025

In a continued effort to expand international collaboration and promote advanced education opportunities, Institut Perubatan & Pergigian Termaju (IPPT), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) embarked on a strategic working visit to several prominent health and medical institutions in Medan, Indonesia. The five-day visit focused on promoting postgraduate studies at IPPT, USM, especially Masters and PhD programs by research and coursework, to aspiring Indonesian students with a passion for health sciences and biomedical research. The Institutions visited were:

• Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan (STIKes) As Syifa Kisaran
• STIKes Malahayati
• STIKes Flora
• STIKes Darmo
• Institut Kesehatan Helvetia
• Universitas Haji Sumatera Utara

These visits served as an important platform to introduce prospective students and academic leaders to IPPT’s unique strengths—including its cutting-edge research facilities, experienced faculty, and niche programs in medicine, dentistry, and health sciences. A detailed briefing on postgraduate opportunities at IPPT, USM was delivered by the representative of the Deputy Director (Academic & International). Key topics covered included:

• Structure and entry requirements of Master's (Coursework) and Master's/PhD (Research) programs
• Scholarships and funding opportunities for international students
• Research facilities and infrastructure available at IPPT
• Overview of research expertise and thematic clusters (e.g., molecular medicine, regenerative therapy, biomedical imaging, pharmacology and toxicology, clinical research)

Informational brochures and academic prospectuses were distributed during these sessions.

International Joint Seminars: A Platform for Shared Learning

A key highlight of the tour was the organisation of International Joint Seminars with each institution, where IPPT-USM academics and local collaborators exchanged insights on the latest scientific developments in health and medical research. Topics covered included innovations in translational medicine, public health challenges in Southeast Asia, biomedical technology and diagnostics and interdisciplinary approaches to rehabilitation sciences These sessions not only fostered intellectual exchange, but also showcased the academic expertise and research capabilities available at IPPT, inviting potential partnerships and future student mobility.

Beyond academic promotion, the visit aimed at strengthening institutional partnerships within the region. Discussions were held with leadership teams to explore possibilities for:

• Joint research initiatives
• Staff and student exchanges
• Co-hosted academic programs and workshops
• Cross-border community engagement projects

The response from participating institutions was overwhelmingly positive, with shared enthusiasm to deepen cooperation for mutual academic growth and regional impact.

Looking Ahead

This successful outreach underscores IPPT-USM’s commitment to being a globally connected hub of medical excellence, while continuing to nurture talent from neighbouring regions. We extend our deepest appreciation to all our Indonesian counterparts for the warm hospitality and fruitful engagements. We look forward to more collaborative ventures in the near future.