Muhammad Rosyid Ridho underwent a student exchange program at the University of Kiel, Germany

The Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University (FF UNAIR) was recently ranked first again as the best Pharmacy Faculty in Indonesia. This ranking is a version of the Scimago University Ranking. This prestigious achievement cannot be separated from the undoubted quality of FF UNAIR students themselves.

From 26 February to 21 March 2024, Muhammad Rosyid Ridho, an undergraduate student at FF UNAIR, class of 2021, was selected to take part in a student exchange program at the University of Kiel, Germany. The program he participated in was the Student Exchange Program Winter organized by the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF).

While undergoing the program, Rosyid and 4 University of Kiel students under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Christian Peifer conducted research at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel with the research theme "Microplastics in the Environment". He and the research team from the University of Kiel observed the particle size with the help of a binocular microscope and the spectral profiles with the help of ATR-IR and Raman microscopy instruments from each microplastic sample obtained from GEOMAR and the Dänisch Nienhof coast.

Apart from that, Rosyid also tested whether the microplastic samples obtained contained bisphenol compounds and their derivatives (BPA, BPF and BPS) using an HPLC MS instrument. Not only that, he also had the opportunity to carry out cellular assays using MCF7 (breast cancer cells) to determine the ability of bisphenol compounds and their derivatives to change the xenoestrogen activity of human cells.

Not only carrying out research activities, in this student exchange program there are also other activities with "LEOs" as the Student Exchange Program committee is known, such as visiting the cities of Hamburg and Lübeck, touring the city of Kiel, seeing the theater, and a Campus Tour. This is of course carried out after the research activities have been carried out.

Rosyid admitted that his participation in this student exchange program was one of the most valuable experiences in his life.

"While participating in this mobility program, I felt very happy and lucky because I was given the opportunity to conduct research in other countries where this could broaden my views regarding pharmaceutical issues in other parts of the world. Apart from that, by participating in this mobility program, I could also broaden my horizons regarding the scope of work of a pharmacist as well as my connections with fellow pharmacists in other parts of the world, especially Germany." he said.

According to him, FF UNAIR also feels that it really supports its students in carrying out international student exchange programs like this. He also felt very helped.

"The support provided by the faculty really helped the success of the mobility program that I participated in. The support I received was not only in the form of energy and emotional support such as ease in managing files and free time to hold discussions with all parties, but also in the form of financial support for support the various needs that I incur to undergo this mobility program."

Activities carried out outside research