Universitas Diponegoro continues to expand global learning opportunities for its students through its internationalization programs. One of these initiatives is the Enhancing Quality Education for International University Recognition (EQUITY Project), supported by the Higher Education Endowment Fund (DAPT), which provides hands-on research experience and international-standard laboratory training at partner institutions abroad. Through the Inbound Student Internship (outbound) scheme, selected students are given the opportunity to take part in an intensive one-month program at two leading universities in South Korea: Yonsei University and Kangwon National University.
Among the selected participants was Angela Pricillia Helen, also known as Angel, a Master of Epidemiology student at the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Diponegoro, who joined the program from March 2 to April 1, 2026. Throughout the program, she engaged not only in academic learning but also in hands-on laboratory work that strengthened her practical skills in molecular epidemiology.
At Yonsei University, Angel took part in intensive training sessions combining lectures, laboratory exposure, and hands-on practice. The training covered essential techniques such as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), DNA extraction, DNA amplification, and molecular diagnostic methods including PCR, qPCR, and RT-PCR. She was also introduced to Sanger sequencing and its application in detecting key pathogens, including African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) and Coxiella burnetii.
The learning experience continued at Kangwon National University, where participants explored advanced laboratory techniques in recombinant protein expression. The training included protein expression systems using Escherichia coli, along with analytical techniques such as protein microarray, Bradford assay, SDS-PAGE, and western blot. These sessions provided deeper insight into how molecular approaches are applied in infectious disease research.
Beyond technical skills, the program also offered valuable international exposure, allowing participants to experience a different research environment and build global academic networks. This experience is expected to enhance students’ academic capacity and inspire future contributions to public health research, particularly in the field of molecular epidemiology.
Participation in the EQUITY Program reflects Universitas Diponegoro’s ongoing commitment to nurturing globally competitive graduates and strengthening international collaboration in education and health research.
