The Faculty of Pharmacy (FF), Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), successfully hosted an International General Lecture on 17 July 2026 as part of the JSPS Core-to-Core Program, entitled “Establishment of International Academic Basis for Functional Enhancement of Natural Products Toward Healthy Aging and a Treatment Against Tropical Infectious Diseases”. The event reflected the faculty’s commitment to strengthening international academic collaboration and advancing research excellence in natural products, bioorganic chemistry, and applied microbiology.
ether distinguished scholars from leading Japanese universities, including Prof. Kenji Arakawa and Assistant Professor Aiko Teshima from Hiroshima University, as well as Prof. Yoshimitsu Hamano and Associate Professor Chitose Maruyama from Fukui Prefectural University. The speakers shared recent advances in bioorganic chemistry, natural product chemistry, microbial biotechnology, and applied microbiology, highlighting innovative approaches to discovering and developing biologically active compounds for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
The lecture also featured presentations from doctoral students Rukman Muslimin and Sho Ogaki of Hiroshima University, who shared their research experiences and perspectives on conducting graduate research within internationally collaborative laboratories. Their presentations provided valuable insights into scientific training, interdisciplinary research, and global academic mobility for aspiring young researchers.
Attended by faculty members, researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and healthcare professionals, the event served as an important platform for scientific exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue. Discussions emphasised the integration of chemical biology, microbial biotechnology, and natural product sciences to address emerging global health challenges, including healthy ageing and tropical infectious diseases.
Beyond the dissemination of scientific knowledge, the General Lecture reaffirmed the strategic commitment of UNHAS to expanding international partnerships, promoting academic mobility, and fostering collaborative research with globally recognised institutions. The interaction between Indonesian and Japanese researchers created opportunities for future joint research projects, student exchanges, and postgraduate supervision, particularly in areas related to pharmaceutical sciences, natural product discovery, and biotechnology.
As an active participant in the JSPS Core-to-Core Program, the Faculty of Pharmacy, UNHAS, continues to strengthen its role as an international hub for research collaboration, contributing to the advancement of sustainable healthcare innovations through multidisciplinary scientific partnerships.
