These pharmacists have passed all required examinations to earn their title, consisting of institution-level exams and the Indonesian Pharmacist Competency Examination (UKAI). After the inauguration, candidates are officially declared to hold the title of Pharmacist (Apt.).

The commemoration was attended by the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Council Dr. Apt. Priyanto, M.Biomed., General Secretary of the Central Board of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) Apt. Lilik Yusuf Indrajaya, S.E., S.Si., M.B.A., ITB Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Ir. Jaka Sembiring, M.Eng., Head of Health Resources of the West Java Provincial Health Office drg. Juanita Patricia Fatima, M.K.M., and Chairman of the Regional Board of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) West Java Deputy Secretary Apt. Sarah Mahardika, S.Si.

The ceremony began with a speech by the Chairman of the Pharmacist Examination Committee and Dean of ITB SF, Prof. I Ketut Adnyana, M.Si., Ph.D. Following that is the reading of the report on the implementation of the exam by the Secretary of the Pharmacist Exam as well as the Head of the Pharmacist Professional Education Study Program, Apt. Elin Julianti, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D.

For this year, graduates with the highest GPA are Ghina Fakhirahusna with a GPA of 4.00 and Nurlisa Amelia with a GPA of 3.97. These GPAs are calculated from the acquisition of academic scores and institutional pharmacist test scores. Moreover, awards were also given to Siti Fatimah and Vanesa Debora for achieving the highest marks during the pharmacist exam in the first semester of 2021/2022, with each scoring 94.

The representative of the graduates, Apt. Vincent Evan Hogianto, S. Farm., expressed his gratitude to the ITB SF community in his farewell speech. He was reminded by his colleagues to continue practicing the professional ethics to uphold the pharmacist’s oath, hoping to improve the health sector of Indonesia.

"Hopefully, the occupational ITB SF Pharmacist Study Program can continue to produce qualified pharmacists and follow the tri dharma principles," Vincent said.

The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Council, Dr. Apt. Priyanto, M.Biomed., advised to make the oath as the basis for practicing as a pharmacist. Each pronunciation of the words contained in said oath binds every pharmacist to pursue knowledge day by day. "Don't just rely on ITB's name,” Dr. Priyanto stated. “You must also make ITB proud."

Apt. Lilik Yusuf Indrajaya, SE., S.Si., M.B.A., the General Secretary of IAI, added that the job prospects of pharmacists are very broad; they can work in the pharmaceutical industry sector, pharmaceutical distribution/wholesalers, or primary and referral healthcare facilities such as hospitals, health centers, or clinics.

Speaking for IAI, Apt. Lilik hoped that the graduates would return and contribute to their hometown, considering several regions in Indonesia are still lacking pharmacists. For instance, around 7500 healthcare centers across the country are still seeking pharmacists for their assistance.

"Don't forget to ask IAI administrators in their respective regions to get direction and inputs during practice," Apt. Lilik noted.

The ITB Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Ir. Jaka Sembiring, M.Eng. reminded the newly certified pharmacists that in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0, hard competencies are not enough to succeed in life. Therefore, it is necessary to develop soft competencies which include adaptability, leadership, sustainability, and coexistence with technology- skills that are taught in ITB.

Furthermore, Prof. Jaka hoped for the students to act as solvers of health issues in the community with their abilities and competencies taught during college. As professionals, pharmacists must take an important role in providing the correct information and educating the public properly.

"After the Covid-19 pandemic, pharmacists are expected to provide guidance of a clean, healthy lifestyle to the community," Prof. Jaka said.

The inauguration and swearing-in procession of the new pharmacists ended with the reading of the curriculum vitae of the best graduates by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of ITB SF Prof. Dr. Elfahmi, S.Si., M.Si. and the award presentation by the Dean of ITB SF Prof. I Ketut Adnyana, M.Si., Ph.D.

Reporter: Bashravie Thamrin (Management, 2024)
Translator: Ruth Nathania (Environmental Engineering, 2019)