The University of San Carlos (USC) welcomed students and faculty from Thailand and Indonesia for the 2025 Student and Faculty Exchange Program, held from April 27 to May 10, 2025 in Cebu City. The program was organized by USC’s Department of Pharmacy and brought together delegates from Walailak University (WU) in Thailand and Universitas Jember (UNEJ) in Indonesia.
WU sent four students—Punnanut Thongprim, Thanamate Watthanasatitchote, Dendani Junladach, and Alicha Kersang—along with professors Dr. Aungkana Chuaychai and Dr. Pornpak Sirathanarun. UNEJ was represented by students Rinad Alamanda Putri and Cheryl Areta Pasaribu, accompanied by Professor Hery Diar Febryanto.
During their stay, the international students joined USC classes in Clinical Pharmacy, Therapeutics, Pharmacognosy, and Pharmaceutical Marketing. They also worked alongside local students in research laboratories, engaging with drug development projects supported by the Department of Science and Technology.
The program included exposure to real-world practice through visits to community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies (see photo below), and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. At one cancer treatment center, the visitors observed the preparation and administration of oncology medicines, providing them with a deeper understanding of specialized pharmacy care in the Philippine healthcare system.
The exchange program continued in Jember, Indonesia, when the USC delegation visited Universitas Jember on June 2, 2025. USC students and faculty attended lectures in Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Management, Agro-Pharmapreneurship, and Medicinal Chemistry, and observed student research presentations, giving them insight into how pharmacy education is carried out in another academic setting.
USC participants also joined a community outreach activity in Desa Androngrejo, a village supported by Universitas Jember. They were introduced to jamu, Indonesia’s traditional herbal medicine, and learned how remedies such as aloe vera and turmeric drinks are prepared and used for health purposes. Alongside this cultural activity, the USC students conducted basic health screenings for villagers, including blood sugar, cholesterol, uric acid, and blood pressure tests.
Faculty members from all three universities contributed to the academic exchange by giving lectures on advanced topics. In Cebu, visiting professors shared research on RNA-based therapies and laboratory testing methods, while in Jember, USC faculty discussed pharmacokinetics, cosmetic product safety, and innovations in drug delivery systems.
By combining academic learning, cultural exchange, and community service, the program gave students and faculty a broader perspective on pharmacy practice. It strengthened ties among the three universities and emphasized the value of international collaboration in preparing future healthcare professionals.