Depok-The Universitas Indonesia (UI) Vocational Education Program continues to expand its international academic network by holding an exchange program with Mahidol University Thailand, which is attended by lecturers from the Department of Applied Health.
The program focuses on developing scientific competency in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, as well as implementing joint community service activities in the Salaya region of Thailand. The program also includes visiting lecturer sessions, collaboration meetings, and field practice that emphasizes applied learning typical of vocational education.
(Photo: Faizah Abdullah, S.St., S.Ft., M.Biomed. during the visiting lecturer series)
The program took place from September 25-30, 2025, at the Faculty of Physical Therapy at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. During the six-day event, lecturers participated in a series of academic activities, including a visiting lecturer series, discussions and bilateral meetings with Mahidol University management to develop joint research, faculty exchanges, and joint community project opportunities. They also participated in a community service program involving visits to physiotherapy and occupational therapy patients in the Salaya area, conducted with Mahidol University students.
The program was attended by lecturers from the Department of Applied Health, namely Dr. Nia Murniati, S.K.M., M.K.M.; Faizah Abdullah, S.St., S.Ft., M.Biomed.; and Gunawan Wicaksono, A.Md.OT., S.K.M., M.Si.
(Photo: Dr. Nia Murniati, S.K.M., M.K.M. while giving a lecture at Mahidol University)
The Head of the Applied Health Department, Dr. Nia Murniati, S.K.M., M.K.M., assessed that the activity was a concrete manifestation of UI Vocational efforts to build a global network that has an impact on society.
“International collaborations like this not only broaden the academic horizons of students and lecturers but also strengthen the implementation of practice-based vocational education. We are obligated to ensure that students not only learn in the classroom but also experience practical experiences in the field. One way to achieve this is through cross-border collaborations like this,” said Nia.
(Photo: Gunawan Wicaksono, A.Md.OT., S.K.M., M.Si. delivering a lecture to Mahidol University students)
Meanwhile, the Director of the UIVocational Education Program, Padang Wicaksono, S.E., Ph.D, appreciated the initiative taken by the lecturers in establishing this strategic partnership.
“Exchange programs like this are a concrete example of globally oriented vocational learning. UI Vocational= academics need to experience cross-border learning to adapt to global challenges and make a real impact on society. Furthermore, through our collaboration with Mahidol University, we hope this exchange of knowledge will strengthen both universities’ positions as centers of superior applied learning relevant to the needs of industry and the global community,” Padang said.
The exchange program is an implementation of a previously agreed-upon memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UI and Mahidol University, aimed at strengthening cross-border academic collaboration, applied research, and community service activities. Both universities are committed to expanding the impact of mutually beneficial cooperation in vocational education.
