Yogyakarta – Two doctoral students from the Biotechnology Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Fatimah and Aprilia Indra, have recently completed a three-week “Mobility Study” program at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) in Japan.
This program provides an opportunity for PhD students to broaden their international perspectives and build a global research network. “Unlike Master’s students, PhD students participating in this program are expected to gain stronger international exposure,” explained Dr. Dini Wahyu Kartikasari, M.Si, an NAIST alumnus and faculty member in the Biotechnology Program at UGM.
Cutting-Edge Research Focus and Potential for International Collaboration
During their time at NAIST, Fatimah and April had the chance to engage directly in research in laboratories aligned with their interests. “I worked on research about mRNA biosynthesis in tick cell models. This topic is highly correlated with my dissertation, which focuses on miRNA regulation in breast cancer,” April shared.
She added that this experience will be invaluable for combining with her dissertation research after returning to Indonesia. The program is also expected to strengthen the connection between UGM and NAIST, and open up opportunities for future research collaborations, especially since both students are also active faculty members at universities in Kediri and Semarang.
“The proportion of international students at NAIST is quite high, and it will continue to increase next year,” said Hisaji Maki-sensei, the person in charge of NAIST’s international program. This highlights NAIST’s commitment to building a multicultural and collaborative research environment with universities abroad, including in Indonesia.
Strengthening Networks and Human Resource Development in Biotechnology
The “Mobility Study” program is one of the efforts by the Biotechnology Program at UGM to enhance the quality of research and the development of human resources in the field of biotechnology.
By providing PhD students the opportunity to interact with leading researchers at NAIST, it is hoped that they will gain new insights, expand their networks, and increase the potential for future research collaboration. “This experience is not only beneficial for the students but also for the development of science and technology in Indonesia,” Dini concluded.