BIREUEN – The Indonesian Association of Higher Education in Pharmacy (APTFI), in collaboration with the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) through its Disaster Response Pharmacists (Apoteker Tanggap Bencana/ATB) program, officially deployed students from the Pharmacist Professional Education Program (PSPPA) to the flood-affected area of Aceh Tamiang on Monday (February 2, 2026).
The deployment marks the initial phase of a gradual, multi-batch student assignment to the disaster site. A total of 60 students have been prepared to actively participate in this humanitarian mission. Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) became the first pharmacy higher education institution to send students in Batch I under this national program.
This initiative reflects strong synergy between APTFI, IAI, and pharmacy higher education institutions in supporting emergency disaster response efforts, particularly in the fields of pharmaceutical services and community health care.
The send-off ceremony was held solemnly and led directly by the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of USK, Prof. Dr. Taufik Fuadi Abidin, S.Si., M.Tech. The event was also attended by the Chair of Disaster Response Pharmacists (ATB), Executive Board of IAI, apt. Ganjar Raynatan, S.Si., as well as the Chair of the Aceh Regional Board of IAI, who also serves as Head of the Department of Pharmacy, FMIPA USK, apt. Tedy Kurniawan Bakri, M.Farm., along with faculty leaders, lecturers, and representatives of the Aceh Regional IAI.
In his remarks, Prof. Taufik Fuadi Abidin emphasized that the involvement of pharmacist professional students in disaster areas is not only an experiential learning opportunity, but also a tangible form of community service aligned with humanitarian values and the Tridharma of Higher Education. He urged students to uphold integrity, professionalism, and pharmaceutical ethics throughout their field assignments.
Meanwhile, ATB IAI Executive Board Chair apt. Ganjar Raynatan stated that student participation in disaster response missions plays a crucial role in strengthening the capacity of future pharmacists from an early stage. He highlighted that collaboration between professional organizations and educational institutions is essential to building an integrated and sustainable disaster response system.
The presence of pharmacist professional students is expected to support affected communities while providing valuable hands-on experience in managing public health crises. The deployment program will continue in phases, adjusted to on-site needs and conditions in the affected areas.
APTFI and IAI reaffirmed their commitment to continuously coordinating pharmacy higher education institutions across Indonesia to actively contribute to this humanitarian mission. Through this initiative, the role of pharmacists and future pharmacists is expected to become increasingly visible and impactful, particularly in emergency disaster situations.
