UNAIR NEWS 鈥 东京热 (UNAIR) continues to expand its international network through a Student Exchange programme with Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Thailand, held from Monday to Tuesday (July 20鈥21, 2026). The programme provides students with opportunities to broaden their academic perspectives, enhance their professional competencies, and gain a deeper understanding of global education and healthcare systems through cross-cultural learning and nursing practice.
Faculty of Nursing (FKp) students Ananda Rachmalia Putri, Natasya Aulia, and Lintang Prameswari participated in a series of academic activities, clinical observations, and community service programmes throughout the exchange. According to Putri, the experience offered a new perspective on patient-centred nursing practice.
鈥淭his programme not only broadened our understanding of Thailand鈥檚 healthcare system but also taught us the importance of effective communication, interprofessional collaboration, and promotive as well as preventive approaches in delivering nursing care,鈥 she said.
Learning from international practice
During their time at PSU, the participants observed several healthcare facilities, including the Cardio-thoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CVT ICU), the Medical Respiratory Care Unit, the Early Childhood Healthcare Development Center, and the Elderly Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Center. In addition to learning about the implementation of patient-centred care, they also joined knowledge-sharing sessions with PSU students to discuss nursing practices in Indonesia and Thailand.
The experience became even more meaningful through community service activities at an elderly rehabilitation centre. The students took part in Group Activity Therapy (GAT) sessions and Tai Chi exercises designed to help maintain cognitive function, improve balance, and promote the physical well-being of older adults.
鈥淲e learned that simple interventions tailored to community needs can make a meaningful difference in improving patients鈥 quality of life, particularly among older adults,鈥 Putri explained.
Encouraging Sustainable Collaboration
In addition to clinical learning, the participants joined the Community Health Promotion Project in Moo 3, Bann Mai, Khong Rang Subdistrict. The programme introduced community-based health promotion through the empowerment of local resources, including stingless bee farming, which supports both public health and the local economy.
According to Putri, the experience at PSU demonstrated how nursing education is closely integrated with clinical practice, multidisciplinary collaboration, therapeutic communication, and patient comfort in every aspect of nursing care. Although UNAIR and PSU adopt different approaches, both institutions share the same commitment to producing professional graduates with global competitiveness.
鈥淲e hope the collaboration between UNAIR and PSU will continue through student exchanges, joint research, community service, and various international academic programmes, allowing more students to gain valuable global learning experiences,鈥 she concluded.
Author: Dheva Yudistira Maulana
Editor: Yulia Rahmawati
