DILI, TIMOR-LESTE (October 30, 2025) – Universitas Pancasila (UP) Jakarta, Indonesia, together with Instituto Ciências da Saúde (ICS) Dili, Timor-Leste, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a strategic step to strengthen collaboration in the implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education—education, research, and community service, especially in the field of pharmacy.

The signing of this collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding international academic networks while simultaneously encouraging human resource capacity development and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector. Through this MoU, ICS is officially designated as a partner university of Pancasila University, under the coordination of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Pancasila University (FFUP), with a focus on the development and collaboration of the ICS Pharmacy Study Program in Timor-Leste.

This strategic collaboration will last for five years and encompass seven key areas: joint curriculum and study program development, student and faculty exchanges, academic credit transfer, collaborative research, joint scientific publications, and cross-border community service activities. Both institutions are committed to creating a mutually reinforcing academic ecosystem, oriented towards improving the quality and relevance of pharmacy education at the regional and international levels.

The signing of the MoU was carried out desk-to-desk by the Chancellor of Universitas Pancasila, Prof. Dr. Adnan Hamid, S.H., M.H., M.M., and directly by the President of the Instituto de Ciências da Saúde Foundation, Antonio Domingos Moreira, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., MMSD.

The event was also attended by the ICS leadership, including ICS Rector Dr. Leão Borges, S.Sos., MPH, Vice Rector I Adelino Nuno da Conceição, S.Kep., MM, Vice Rector II Yosep Uli Yanto, S.Kep., Ns., Vice Rector III Jacinto Da Silva Soares, Bs. Geo, and a number of other structural officials.

From Universitas Pancasila, the Director of Cooperation (International Office) Gunawan Baharuddin, Ph.D., CHRA., CERA., Director of Public Relations and Communication Umar Halim, M.Phil., Deputy Dean II of the Faculty of Pharmacy Dr. apt. Greesty F. Swandiny, M.Farm., and Head of the Master of Pharmacy Study Program Dr. apt. Andri Prasetyo, M.Farm., along with other supporting teams were present.

As part of a series of activities, Pancasila University also held a public lecture for ICS students and lecturers with two main topics, namely “Pharmacy Self-Service and Traditional Medicine” by Dr. apt. Greesty F. Swandiny, M.Farm., and “Drug Distribution System in Indonesia” by Dr. apt. Andri Prasetyo, M.Farm.

This activity is the initial step in implementing the Tridharma of Higher Education collaboration, particularly in the field of education and improving the professional competence of pharmacists in Timor-Leste.

In addition to the public lecture, the agenda also included discussions on joint research development and plans for community service activities in the field of community pharmacy, which will be a concrete follow-up to the collaboration between the two institutions.

In his remarks, ICS Rector Dr. Leão Borges expressed his appreciation and pride for this partnership.

“We are honored to collaborate with Pancasila University. We believe this collaboration will bring real change in improving the quality of higher education in the field of pharmacy, while strengthening Timor-Leste’s contribution to the ASEAN community,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Cooperation at Universitas Pancasila, Gunawan Baharuddin, Ph.D., emphasized that this collaboration is a manifestation of UP’s commitment to expanding international academic networks based on the Tridharma of Higher Education.

“We came not only to sign a cooperation document, but also to build a sustainable partnership in education, research, and community service. This is a tangible contribution from Universitas Pancasila to strengthening pharmaceutical education in the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President of the ICS da Graça Deus Foundation, Ns. Antonio Domingos Moreira, added that this collaboration would be a major step in increasing the institutional and academic capacity of ICS.

“By becoming a partner university of Universitas Pancasila, we gain access to Indonesian experience, technology, and innovation, which are crucial for improving the quality of our learning and research,” he said.

This collaboration demonstrates Pancasila University’s commitment to realizing its vision of internationalizing the campus and strengthening academic friendship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. With the full support of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Pancasila University, ICS will continue to improve the quality of the Tridharma of Higher Education, creating sustainable synergies for the advancement of education, research, and health in the ASEAN region.