Depok, July 15, 2026 – The student delegation from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia (UI), successfully achieved impressive achievements at the 2026 Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) held in Surabaya on July 7–14, 2026. This success was achieved through various competition categories, ranging from Compounding Event, Scientific Poster Competition, Clinical Skills Event, Industrial Skills Event, to Vlog Competition. Furthermore, the UI delegation also won an award in the organizational field.
At the Compounding Event with the theme "Extemporaneous Compounding: Interpretation, Accuracy, Precision," the UI Faculty of Pharmacy delegation team consisting of Kelly Ellyana Abriale and Adli Shalhan won first place (Winner). Kelly Ellyana Abriale revealed that preparation for this competition was carried out by re-learning the basics of pharmacy that had been obtained during lectures at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia. In addition, she also conducted in-depth study of materials related to the manufacture of various pharmaceutical dosage forms to be better prepared to face the challenges during the competition.
According to Adli Shalhan, the competition was quite competitive, attracting pharmacy students from various universities across the Asia-Pacific region. Facing competitors from various countries made him initially concerned about the development of their knowledge and abilities. However, this served as motivation to prepare himself optimally and deliver his best performance throughout the competition.
Kelly Ellyana Abriale also stated that studying at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, played a crucial role in helping them achieve this award. "Adli and I felt greatly helped by the various courses at FF UI related to compounding, from Pharmaceutics to Solution, Semisolid, and Sterile Dosage Technology. Each course not only provided theoretical understanding but also complemented with practical work, so we gained a deeper understanding of the manufacturing process of various pharmaceutical dosage forms," said Kelly Ellyana Abriale.
Figure 1. Students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, Kelly Ellyana Abriale and Adli Shalhan, successfully won 1st Place in the Compounding Event at the Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) 2026 in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Not stopping at one competition category, the delegation of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia (UI) also achieved impressive results through the Scientific Poster Competition. The active participation of UI Pharmacy students in this competition was demonstrated by the achievements of two delegation teams that successfully advanced to the final presentation round. In the end, both delegation teams succeeded in emerging as winners, namely the team of Javto Abimanyu Prakoso, Hanara Azka Rananda, and Ayska Mayra Nasution who won first place ( Winner ), and the team of Kelvin Ricardo, Woo Haram, and Carissa Araminta who won the 2nd Runner-Up position.
Javto Abimanyu Prakoso revealed that one of the biggest challenges in preparing for the competition was determining the research idea, as the given theme was general. The team then conducted various brainstorming sessions until they found an idea that aligned with the interests and passions of all members. "We chose diabetes and combined it with artificial intelligence (AI) because diabetes is a disease that is quite personal in my life, while AI is a very interesting topic to study," said Javto Abimanyu Prakoso.
Hanara Azka Rananda added that the team also received guidance to refine their research concepts, practice presentations and Q&A sessions, and prepare various supporting props to strengthen their presentations. Although the number of participants was not as large as in the Creative Poster category, the level of competition was still very high. Of the five teams that made it to the final round, all presented excellent work and presentations. "During the Q&A session, the judges only asked us two questions. We initially felt a little underwhelmed and thought our poster wasn't compelling enough compared to the other participants. However, we are grateful that the final result exceeded our expectations," said Hanara Azka Rananda.
Ayska Mayra Nasution not only credited the thorough preparation process but also credited the support from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, for her team's success. She noted the extensive exposure to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Faculty of Pharmacy, both through learning activities and discussions with lecturers and fellow students. "I feel we wouldn't have been able to achieve this opportunity without Mr. Rezi's guidance, who provided a broader perspective on the application of AI in the pharmaceutical field. This knowledge has been incredibly helpful in developing our research ideas and enabling us to compete internationally," said Ayska Mayra Nasution.
Figure 2. Students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, Ayska Mayra Nasution, Javto Abimanyu Prakoso, and Hanara Azka Rananda, successfully won 1st Place in the Scientific Poster Competition at the 2026 Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the team consisting of Kelvin Ricardo, Woo Haram, and Carissa Araminta managed to achieve the 2nd Runner-Up position in the same category. Carissa Araminta revealed that the team spent quite a lot of time determining the research topic because the theme given by the committee was general. During the preparation process, the team also received guidance from Mr. Heri and revised the research title several times until finally choosing the topic of silymarin. "We chose the topic of silymarin because there are still side effects from finasteride, so this alternative therapy is interesting to study," she said.
According to Woo Haram, the competition was quite intense because many participants addressed complex topics, such as cancer. Furthermore, some participants employed literature reviews, while his team employed narrative reviews. Questions from the judges during the presentation session also posed a challenge, requiring teams to thoroughly understand the material presented.
Kelvin Ricardo added that the Research Methodology course assisted the team in developing scientific posters, from searching for and compiling literature to systematically presenting the poster's content. Mr. Heri's guidance on developing a good scientific poster also assisted the team during the competition preparation process.
Figure 3. Students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, Kelvin Ricardo, Carissa Araminta, and Woo Haram, won the 2nd Runner-Up title in the Scientific Poster Competition at the 2026 Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The UI Faculty of Pharmacy delegation's string of achievements continued through the Clinical Skills Event. All UI teams secured their places in the final round, with two teams competing in the CSE Beginner category and one in the CSE Advanced category. One of the UI teams in the CSE Beginner category, consisting of Carissa Araminta, Woo Haram, and Felicia Theodora, won first runner-up.
Carissa Araminta revealed that the biggest challenge came from material that hadn't been previously covered in lectures. "We didn't have a cardiovascular module in our second year, so we relied heavily on reference books and guidelines recommended by Ms. Indri," Carissa explained.
Meanwhile, Woo Haram also shared the team's strategies during preparation for the competition. He explained that during the preliminary stage , he focused on understanding the question patterns and identifying the guidelines most frequently used by the organizers. Based on this analysis, he and his team developed various strategies, from determining the order in which questions should be answered to designing solution scenarios to anticipate various possibilities that could arise in the final round. This preparation was crucial for the team in facing the competition with greater confidence. "Many participants come from universities with special coaching programs, with very intensive training, daily monitoring of progress by the university, and even going through an internal selection process before representing their institutions," Woo Haram said.
Despite the challenges, Felicia Theodora expressed her gratitude for the full support provided by the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, throughout the competition. "Studying at the UI Faculty of Pharmacy has provided me with a strong foundation for understanding complex topics. Furthermore, the support from our advisor, Ms. Indri, was instrumental in our preparation, from practice questions to book recommendations to much more."
Figure 4. Students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, Carissa Araminta, Woo Haram, and Felicia Theodora, successfully won the 1st Runner-Up title in the Clinical Skills Event at the Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) 2026 in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The abilities of the University of Indonesia (UI) Faculty of Pharmacy delegation to face the challenges of the pharmaceutical industry were also tested through the Industrial Skills Event. A UI delegation team consisting of Rafael Juanly, Kelvin Ricardo, Felicia Theodora, and Woo Haram participated in the competition and advanced to the final round thanks to a proposal prepared with dedication and hard work. Ultimately, the team secured first runner-up.
Rafael Juanly revealed that the team conducted research well in advance to determine the appropriate pre-formulation. Furthermore, the team consulted with lecturers to ensure the research findings could be applied at the industrial level. Presentation and pitching skills were also honed as a crucial aspect of this competition.
Kelvin Ricardo added that the team prepared the proposal together, from formulation and testing to packaging. The process was then followed by discussions with the supervisor to develop a more refined final proposal. "The lectures at FF UI helped us through a learning system that focused on case studies, particularly the Solid Dosage Technology practicum. Therefore, we were not too surprised when faced with the given case and were able to analyze it quite well and offer a feasible solution for industrial implementation," said Kelvin.
According to Woo Haram, the competition was intense. Judges from various industries asked in-depth questions regarding product formulation, production, regulations, and implementation feasibility. Participants from various countries also demonstrated thorough preparation through high-quality proposals and presentations.
During the preparation process, the team developed evidence-based arguments, conducted literature reviews, and repeatedly evaluated the proposal. They also designed packaging that was attractive, functional, and suited to the needs of target users. Support from the UI Faculty of Pharmacy provided the team with valuable insights into formulation, preparation technology, and regulations. "Ms. Nia's guidance also helped the team develop the proposal through input related to research and development, formulation, production, and various testing stages in the pharmaceutical industry," said Felicia Theodora.
Figure 5. Students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, Felicia Theodora, Rafael Juanly, Kelvin Ricardo, and Woo Haram, successfully won the 1st Runner-Up title in the Industrial Skills Event at the Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) 2026 in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The University of Indonesia (UI) Faculty of Pharmacy delegation's contributions to APPS 2026 went beyond academic and professional skills competitions. Through the Vlog Competition, UI students demonstrated their creativity and communication skills in conveying ideas through digital media. One of the UI delegation teams, Ayska Mayra Nasution, Carissa Araminta, and Hanara Azka Rananda, won first runner-up in the competition.
Hanara Azka Rananda revealed that the team brainstormed together to determine the video concept, developed a script with a clear storyline, and divided the tasks proportionally among each member. Competition in this category was also quite intense, as there was no limit to the number of participants. After advancing to the final round as one of the six best teams, the team had to compete against various other vlogs with compelling concepts and visual quality.
"After we made it to the finals, the participants who made it through also had great and engaging vlogs, so we had to put in more effort to get the most likes," said Ayska Mayra Nasution. Carissa Araminta added that her experience studying at the UI Faculty of Pharmacy helped her prepare for the competition, particularly through various assignments that required conceptualization, scripting, video production, and editing skills.
Figure 6. Students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, Hanara Azka Rananda, Ayska Mayra Nasution, and Carissa Araminta, successfully won the 1st Runner-Up title in the Vlog Competition at the 2026 Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Not only did the Faculty of Pharmacy delegation from the University of Indonesia (UI) shine in various competitions, but they also achieved success in the organizational field. Felicia Theodora won the 2nd Best Contact Person award from the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation Asia Pacific Regional Office for her dedication, commitment, and contribution in carrying out her role as a liaison between the Faculty of Pharmacy UI and IPSF APRO during her one term. This award recognizes her consistency in building collaborations, supporting various organizational programs, and bringing good name to the Faculty of Pharmacy UI at the regional level.
Figure 7. Felicia Theodora, a student from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia, won the 2nd Best Contact Person title in the IPSF APRO at the 2026 Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium (APPS) in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The numerous achievements of the UI Faculty of Pharmacy delegation in APPS 2026 demonstrate the students' dedication, hard work, and ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired during their studies. These achievements also demonstrate that UI Faculty of Pharmacy students are capable of competing and contributing at the Asia-Pacific level through a combination of academic competence, professional skills, creativity, and collaborative abilities.