Pontianak, Indonesia – The UNIMAS Medical Society (UNIMED), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), successfully conducted its inaugural organisational visit to Ikatan Mahasiswa Kedokteran (IMK), Fakultas Kedokteran (FK), Universitas Tanjungpura (UNTAN), Pontianak, Indonesia, from 21st to 25th January 2026. This five-day programme marked a significant milestone in strengthening cross-border academic, organisational, and cultural collaboration between medical students of Malaysia and Indonesia. The delegation comprised 29 medical students from FMHS UNIMAS, accompanied by 2 staff members.
This official visit represented UNIMED’s first engagement with the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Tanjungpura, and was jointly organised with IMK UNTAN. The programme was designed to promote academic exchange, leadership networking, organisational development, and cultural understanding among future healthcare professionals, while fostering long-term regional cooperation.
Upon arrival in Pontianak on 21 January, the UNIMED delegation was warmly welcomed by the IMK UNTAN organising team. An introductory and ice-breaking session was held later that evening during a welcoming dinner, providing an informal platform for participants from both institutions to interact, build rapport, and establish meaningful connections.
The official opening ceremony took place on 22 January at Universitas Tanjungpura and was attended by student leaders and faculty representatives from both universities. The ceremony reflected a shared commitment to regional academic collaboration and mutual learning. This was followed by faculty briefings led by the Vice Dean and Head of the Medical Programme of FK UNTAN, as well as an international lecture jointly attended by UNIMED delegates and UNTAN medical students. These academic sessions provided valuable exposure to different medical education systems, teaching methodologies, and learning environments.
Beyond academics, the programme incorporated cultural exposure activities that allowed participants to experience the unique identity of Pontianak. The delegation participated in a city tour that included a cruise along the Kapuas River and a visit to the Equator (Khatulistiwa) Monument, offering insight into the city’s historical, geographical, and cultural significance.
On the third day, the delegation visited the West Kalimantan Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s heritage and history. This was followed by a campus tour of UNTAN, covering the medical, pharmacy, and nursing programmes. A dedicated organisational sharing session was subsequently conducted, facilitating in-depth discussions on student governance, leadership structure, and organisational best practices between UNIMED and IMK UNTAN.
A key highlight of the visit was the community outreach programme conducted at Kasih Bapa Nursing Home, Pontianak. During this programme, UNIMED and IMK UNTAN students collaborated to provide basic health screenings for elderly residents, including blood pressure measurement, blood glucose testing, cholesterol screening, and uric acid level assessment. The outreach offered invaluable hands-on experience, strengthened students’ communication skills, and enhanced their understanding of geriatric care in a community setting, while fostering empathy, social responsibility, and cross-cultural teamwork.
The programme concluded on 25 January with the delegation’s departure back to Kuching, marking the end of a meaningful and productive international engagement. Overall, the UNIMED Organisational Visit to IMK UNTAN successfully achieved its objectives by strengthening academic and organisational ties, enriching students’ learning experiences, and laying a strong foundation for future collaborations. UNIMED extends its sincere appreciation to IMK UNTAN and the Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Tanjungpura, for their warm hospitality and excellent coordination throughout the visit. This inaugural engagement reaffirms the importance of regional unity and cooperation in advancing medical education and nurturing globally minded, culturally competent future healthcare professionals.