International Student of USK Attends ISCP 2026
International student of Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Fawad Karimi, a master’s student of the Artificial Intelligence Program at the Graduate School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), recently participated in the International Summer Course of Pharmacy (ISCP) 2026 under the theme “Towards a Sustainable Smoke-Free Generation: Innovation & Action in Tobacco Control”, 17-25 June 2026, hosted by Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU).
The program brought together 17 participants from seven countries, namely Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, and Tanzania.
Fawad, an international student from Afghanistan and a recipient of the KNB Scholarship batch 2024, described the program as a highly positive and memorable experience.
“The program provided an excellent learning experience through various lectures delivered by international experts on tobacco control, smoking cessation, and public health,” he said.
Beyond academic enrichment, the program also enabled him to expand his international network, exchange experiences with participants from diverse backgrounds, and further develop his intercultural communication skills. He also participated in workshops on phytopharmaceutical formulation to support smoking cessation efforts, as well as case-based counseling approaches for smoking cessation programs.
In addition to classroom activities, participants joined a laboratory tour at USU’s Faculty of Pharmacy, a community service activity at Masjid Al Jihad, and a field trip to Bukit Lawang to explore ecotourism and conservation initiatives in the Gunung Leuser National Park. The itinerary also included jungle trekking to observe orangutans in their natural habitat, river tubing activities, and city tours to several cultural and historical landmarks, including the North Sumatra State Museum, Maimun Palace, Al-Mashun Grand Mosque, and Tjong A Fie Mansion. A gala dinner and cultural performances representing various countries also became highlights of the program.
Fawad noted that interacting with local students, international participants, and faculty members was one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. He further emphasized the value of discussions with lecturers, researchers, and medical specialists on tobacco control, pulmonary health, and his own research in Artificial Intelligence for the early detection of lung cancer using CT scans.
“These interactions broadened my academic perspective and opened opportunities for future collaborations,” he added.
Having already been studying in Indonesia, Fawad explained that adapting to life in Medan was relatively easy.
“The Indonesian language skills I gained at USK greatly helped me communicate with local communities. People in Medan were also very welcoming and open towards international participants,” he said.
During his stay in Medan, Fawad had the opportunity to sample various traditional dishes from North Sumatra, learn about Batak culture through artistic performances, visit historical and cultural sites, and enjoy the natural beauty of Bukit Lawang.
“This experience deepened my understanding of Indonesia’s cultural diversity and provided benefits not only academically, but also socially and culturally,” he concluded.
Commenting on Fawad’s participation, the Head of the Global Engagement Office (GEO) of Universitas Syiah Kuala, Prof. Dr. Syamsidik, S.T., M.Sc., expressed pride in seeing international students actively engaging in international academic programs and representing the university.
“We are proud to see our international students actively participating in international academic programs and representing USK. Experiences such as this not only enrich their academic journey but also strengthen international collaboration and cross-cultural understanding. We hope these opportunities will provide students with wider exposure and broaden their perspectives throughout their academic journey in Indonesia,” he stated.
