Two students from the Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) are expanding their academic and clinical perspectives through an international Enrichment Program at Niigata University, Japan, running from 16 August to 4 September 2026. Jauhara Khairunnisa and Dhea Ayu Puan Maharani are participating in a multidisciplinary program, combines lectures, clinical observation, laboratory exposure, practical training, industry engagement, and cultural exchange. The experience places the UNHAS students in an international learning environment alongside dental students from universities across Asia and Europe.
The Indonesian delegation includes two students from UNHAS, three from the University of Indonesia, and four from Airlangga University. International participants also represent Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Malmö University, creating opportunities to exchange perspectives on dental education and student experiences across different academic systems as well as connecting Dental Science with Research and Clinical Practice.
Throughout the program, participants attend lectures by academics and clinicians from Niigata University covering areas including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Health and Welfare, Oral Pathology, Periodontology, Oral Biochemistry, and Tissue Regeneration Engineering. Then, a visit to the Tissue Regeneration Engineering Laboratory led by Prof. Izumi gives participants insight into research in tissue regeneration and demonstrates how scientific investigation and innovation contribute to advances in dentistry.
The students also visit GC, a dental materials and equipment company, where they gain an industry perspective on the development of dental products and technologies and their connection with research and clinical practice. Practical learning forms another important part of the program. Participants undertake a dental caries removal simulation, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a controlled training environment. During a Dental Radiology practical session with Prof. Hayashi, they further explore dental imaging and its role in supporting clinical assessment and diagnosis.
Clinical exposure extends to Niigata University’s hospital environment, where participants observe Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery cases and receive explanations of the procedures involved. These include the management of an impacted anterior tooth and surgical procedures involving osteotomy and odontectomy in the maxillary and mandibular regions. Rather than learning solely through lectures, these observations allow participants to connect theoretical knowledge with clinical decision-making and gain a closer understanding of patient management in a university hospital setting.
A hospital tour further introduces the students to departments including Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, and General Dentistry, providing a broader view of how patient care, professional education and specialized dental services are integrated within the academic clinical environment. Building Connections Beyond the Classroom, the program also creates opportunities for international and professional networking. On 17 August participants visited Hakusan Park with Indonesian doctors currently pursuing doctoral studies in Japan. Coinciding with Indonesia’s Independence Day, the gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate the occasion with members of the Indonesian academic community in Niigata. Interactions among participants continue beyond formal academic sessions, including a gathering at Bandai Food Hall, where students from different countries shared experiences and strengthened connections in a more informal setting.
The international experience is further complemented by engagement with Japanese culture. Participants attended the Meiwa Gijin Festival 2026, where they experienced local performances, community activities, food stalls, musical presentations, and a large-scale parade. The exposure to these community traditions offers another dimension to the mobility experience, allowing the students to better understand everyday life and cultural practices in Japan while studying within its academic environment.
Through the activities completed so far, the Enrichment Program has given Jauhara and Dhea opportunities to experience dentistry from multiple perspectives—from laboratory research and clinical observation to simulation-based training, industry exposure, and international academic exchange. Their participation also forms part of the Faculty of Dentistry’s broader 2026 Enrichment Program, through which UNHAS has prepared students for academic experiences at partner universities across Asia. Niigata University is among the international institutions hosting UNHAS dental students this year.
For both UNHAS students, the program offers more than international mobility. It provides an opportunity to learn within a different educational and clinical environment, develop intercultural competencies and build connections with students and academics from Indonesia and other countries—experiences that can contribute to their development as future dental professionals with a broader international perspective.