Mataram, University of Mataram — Earning a pharmacist qualification is not the end of an educational journey, but the beginning of a professional responsibility that directly concerns people’s health and safety. This message was at the heart of the Inauguration and Professional Oath-Taking Ceremony for the Fifth Cohort of the Pharmacist Professional Study Programme, Academic Year 2025/2026, at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Mataram (FKIK Unram), where 41 new pharmacists were inaugurated and took their professional oath on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at Lombok Raya Hotel.

The occasion marked the graduates’ entry into professional practice, carrying with them knowledge, skills, and the responsibility to provide safe, ethical, and community-oriented pharmaceutical care.

When Knowledge Becomes a Responsibility

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of Unram, Prof. Dr. Sitti Hilyana, M.Si., said that taking the professional oath was more than a ceremony. It marked the point at which the knowledge gained throughout their education became a responsibility to serve others.

“On behalf of the university leadership, I congratulate all the pharmacists who today have completed an important stage in their educational journey,” she said.

She reminded the graduates that pharmacy is a profession built on trust. Behind every prescription and every medicine is a person placing their hopes in recovery and a better quality of life.

For this reason, pharmacists must possess more than scientific knowledge and professional skills; they must also understand the people they serve.

“Knowledge makes you competent. Skills make you capable. But it is honesty and integrity that make you worthy of trust,” Prof. Sitti emphasised.

She urged the new pharmacists to uphold the reputation of their families, alma mater, and profession wherever they serve whether in pharmacies, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, government, education, research, or other fields.

“Be pharmacists who are strong in knowledge, steadfast in character, and humane in service,” she said.

Responding to Health Challenges in West Nusa Tenggara

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) Unram, Dr. dr. Arfi Syamsun, Sp.KF., M.Si.Med., highlighted the particular challenges of providing healthcare across an archipelagic region. Pharmacists therefore need to continuously strengthen their competencies so they can respond to the needs of communities across different areas.

He expressed confidence that the new pharmacists had been equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to face these challenges. However, professional education should not be regarded as the end of their learning journey.

The graduates were encouraged to continuously update their knowledge and pursue higher levels of education. This commitment is also part of FKIK Unram’s broader direction for strengthening pharmacy education, including plans to develop master’s and doctoral programmes in pharmacy.

FKIK Unram is also preparing to pursue international accreditation for its Pharmacy Study Programme and Pharmacist Professional Study Programme as part of efforts to strengthen academic quality and competitiveness.

Arfi said these plans have received support from the University of Mataram, including through the strengthening of facilities and infrastructure, such as the development of a new FKIK building.

“Continue updating your knowledge and pursuing further education. Do not stop at the pharmacist qualification,” he urged.

He also reminded the graduates to always practise in accordance with applicable regulations and not provide professional services without the required authorisation.

Three Messages for Upholding the Profession

Chair of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) West Nusa Tenggara, apt. Drs. Agus Supriyanto, described the professional oath as the starting point of a pharmacist’s service to society.

He delivered three messages to the 41 new pharmacists.

First, uphold the professional code of ethics. Pharmacists must make the code of ethics a guiding principle in their professional practice, remaining honest, respectful in collaboration, and firm in protecting patients’ interests.

Second, never stop learning. The pharmacist qualification is a starting point for continuously developing professional competence, keeping pace with scientific advances, and adapting to changes in health regulations and policies.

Third, be present for the people of West Nusa Tenggara.

“People in West Nusa Tenggara need you. Be pharmacists who are always present in the community, so that your presence and contributions can truly be felt,” he said.

An Oath That Goes Beyond Words

Representing the newly inaugurated pharmacists, apt. Muhammad Arif Ramadhan, S.Farm., reminded his fellow graduates that carrying the pharmacist title after their names comes with significant responsibility.

For him, the professional oath is not simply a set of words spoken during a ceremony, but a commitment that must guide every decision and professional practice as a pharmacist.

The oath carries a responsibility to dedicate pharmaceutical knowledge to humanity and to practise the profession without discrimination based on nationality, religion, ethnicity, or social status.

“I hope the words of the oath do not simply remain spoken, but become deeply rooted within us,” he said.

He also reminded his fellow graduates that the journey to becoming pharmacists was never undertaken alone. Behind every graduate’s achievement are families, lecturers, supervisors, and others who provided support and trust throughout their educational journey.

Turning a Degree into Service

The inauguration and professional oath-taking of 41 new Unram pharmacists marks the beginning of a broader professional journey. After years of education and training, the graduates now carry their knowledge and professional oath into the wider community.

For Unram, their achievement goes beyond producing a new generation of graduates. It is also part of the university’s responsibility to continuously strengthen pharmacy education, advance pharmaceutical knowledge, and prepare health professionals capable of responding to the needs of society.

For the new pharmacists, meanwhile, the qualification they receive today carries a greater message: keep learning, uphold integrity, and ensure that pharmaceutical knowledge serves humanity.

Ultimately, the success of a pharmacist is not measured solely by a degree or position, but by the extent to which their presence and professional service can make people’s lives better.