Two students from the 2024 Odd Semester Cohort of the Master’s Program in Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada—Rafiqa Wulandani and Rafli Fandu Ramadhani—took part in the Sakura Science Exchange Program held at Mie University, Japan, from 2–4 December 2025. This program is an international exchange initiative fully supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) aimed at strengthening research capacity and global collaboration.
This opportunity was made possible through the long-standing research collaboration between Prof. Edi Suharyadi (ES-Club Research Group, Physics UGM) and Prof. Kohji Nakamura (Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University), particularly in the areas of functional materials, nanostructures, and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensors. Participant selection was conducted internally within the ES-Club research group based on research focus and potential for future collaboration.
This year’s program carried the theme “First-principles materials design training program for the development of energy-conversion materials.” Throughout the program, participants received advanced computational training, ranging from software installation (conda, gfortran, FLAPW) and an introduction to first-principles calculations to material simulations such as Si-diamond and CsPbX₃ (X = I, Br, Cl) perovskites. Participants were also given the opportunity to conduct demonstration calculations on their respective research materials, including experimental SPR topics currently being developed by UGM students.
In addition to academic activities, the program included an industrial visit to Hikari-Kikai Seisakusyo Co. Ltd. and cultural exchange activities through visits to Okage-Yokocyo Street and Ise Grand Shrine, one of the oldest spiritual sites in Japan. Interaction with students from Japan, Indonesia (UGM & ITB), Morocco (UMI), and Senegal (UGB) further broadened the participants’ international academic networks.
For Rafiqa, the experience offered valuable insights into the integration of experimental and theoretical approaches.
“As my first visit to Japan, I was deeply impressed by the well-organized environment, disciplined work culture, and the warm and supportive academic atmosphere—even amidst the winter cold. Coming from a more experimental background, the world of computational materials once felt quite foreign to me. Through this program, I gained a clearer understanding of how modeling and simulation can be used to design and predict material properties, while also observing firsthand how cross-country teamwork enriches the research process. I am sincerely grateful to JST, Mie University, and UGM for the invaluable opportunity to be part of the Sakura Science Program,” she expressed.
Similarly, Rafli conveyed his appreciation for the opportunity.
“This has been an extraordinary experience. Visiting Japan for the first time, we learned a great deal, met new colleagues, and felt the kindness of everyone despite the cold winter weather. This program broadened my perspective on computational materials and emphasized the importance of international research collaboration. I am especially grateful to Prof. Edi and Prof. Nakamura for this opportunity, and I hope to return someday,” he stated.
The program concluded with short presentations by each country group, group discussions, and the awarding of official certificates from JST as proof of program completion.
Through their participation, Rafiqa and Rafli hope that more students from the UGM Department of Physics will take part in international research collaborations to strengthen global competitiveness in science and technology.
