The Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) successfully hosted a Virtual Student Exchange Program between Okayama University, Japan, and UNHAS. The program provided an opportunity for students from both universities to exchange knowledge, experiences, and cultural perspectives through interactive online discussions. The program involved students from Okayama University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Nursing, as well as students from UNHAS’s Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, and Faculty of Nursing. A total of 18 students participated in the program, consisting of eight students from Okayama University and 10 students from UNHAS. From UNHAS, the participants included four students from the Faculty of Dentistry, two students from the Faculty of Medicine, two students from the Faculty of Public Health, and two students from the Faculty of Nursing.
The Virtual Student Exchange was conducted through interactive discussions lasting approximately 60 minutes per session. The sessions were held every Tuesday on 14,21,28 July and 4 August 2026. The students were divided into four groups, with each group consisting of a combination of students from Okayama University and UNHAS. Each group was accompanied by one tutor or facilitator who guided the discussion and encouraged active participation among the students. The program was supported by four facilitators in total, comprising two facilitators from Okayama University (Prof. Nobuaki Miyahara and Assoc. Prof. Yuki Kajiwara) and two facilitators from UNHAS (Filzah Azalia, drg., M.Res., and Nur Fadilah, S.Kep., Ns., MN). The facilitators were responsible for guiding the group discussions, facilitating communication between students, and ensuring that the discussions ran smoothly and interactively.
The discussions focused on topics closely related to students’ everyday lives, including culture, food, transportation, student life, and other topics of mutual interest. Through these discussions, students had the opportunity to learn directly from their peers about life in Japan and Indonesia. The mixed-group format also encouraged students to communicate across cultures, share personal experiences, and gain a broader understanding of different perspectives. Beyond academic knowledge, the program provided an informal and engaging platform for students to build friendships and develop greater confidence in communicating with international peers.
The Virtual Student Exchange aimed to promote cultural and knowledge exchange between Okayama University and UNHAS. The program also served as an important platform for providing students with international learning experiences through virtual collaboration. Through this initiative, students were expected to broaden their global perspectives, strengthen their intercultural communication skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. This initiative supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By providing inclusive international learning opportunities and fostering global health education across multidisciplinary health sciences, the program supports SDG 4: Quality Education. The virtual cross-border collaboration and inter-university partnership between UNHAS and Okayama University embody SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The program also represents an important step toward strengthening the ongoing academic relationship between the two universities. The virtual interactions will subsequently be complemented by an in-person visit by students and faculty members from Okayama University. As a continuation of the exchange program, students and faculty members from Okayama University are scheduled to visit UNHAS on August 30, 2026. The visit will provide an opportunity for students who previously interacted virtually to meet face-to-face and further strengthen the relationship established through the Virtual Student Exchange Program. Through the combination of virtual and face-to-face activities, UNHAS continues to promote meaningful international learning experiences and strengthen sustainable collaboration with partner universities around the world.
