Apothecary Oath: i3L University Inaugural Pharmacist Professional Graduates
Written by: apt. Rurynta Ferly Shavira, S.Farm., M.Farm. and Leonardo Thenov, S.T., M.B.A.
Jakarta, 06 November 2026 – On October 31, 2026, the Auditorium of i3L University in Jakarta became the stage for a historic milestone in Indonesian healthcare education. Thirty-seven graduates officially took their oaths as pharmacists, marking the very first Apothecary Oath Ceremony in i3L University history. Known in Indonesian as the Sumpah Apoteker, this landmark event marked not only the culmination of years of rigorous academic and clinical training but also the emergence of a new generation of pharmacist professionals committed to serving the public with competence, integrity, and genuine care.
The ceremony drew faculty members, preceptors, families, and institutional leaders who gathered together to witness this proud achievement. For i3L University’s School of Health and Life Sciences, the Apothecary Oath Ceremony served as a defining proof of concept: that the institution’s Pharmacist Professional Study Program has successfully produced its inaugural cohort of licensed apothecaries, now fully ready to enter the Indonesian healthcare workforce.
For prospective pharmacy students, healthcare professionals, and families searching for information about apothecary oath ceremonies in Indonesia or pharmaceutical education at i3L University, this event stands as a powerful testament to the university’s growing stature in health sciences education.
The Apothecary Oath Ceremony was led by apt. Fandi Sutanto, PhD, Head of the Pharmacist Professional Study Program at i3L University, accompanied by members of the clergy who administered the oath in accordance with each graduate’s faith tradition. After the solemn recitation of the pharmacist oath, the ceremony moved on to the formal handover of professional certificates and academic transcripts, each representing years of hard work, clinical practice, and unwavering dedication.
For those unfamiliar with Indonesian pharmacy education, the Sumpah Apoteker is a legally and professionally binding commitment. It is the final step that officially transforms a pharmacy graduate into a licensed apothecary, authorized to practice pharmaceutical care in Indonesia. The oath covers principles of honesty, patient welfare, confidentiality, and adherence to professional codes of ethics.
This inaugural class of 37 pharmacists from i3L University now joins a nationwide community of licensed apothecaries, each bound by the same promise to protect public health and elevate pharmaceutical services across Indonesia.
One of the most resonant moments of the ceremony came from Rio Hermantara, PhD, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences at i3L University. In his address to the graduates, Dr. Hermantara emphasized a truth that transcends textbook learning: pharmacy demands far more than scientific expertise alone.
He articulated that effective pharmaceutical care requires accurate clinical knowledge delivered with genuine empathy toward patients, unwavering integrity in every professional decision, and a deep personal commitment to lifelong learning. In a healthcare landscape that evolves rapidly with new drugs, new diseases, and new patient needs, a pharmacist who stops learning stops serving.
This vision aligns closely with the World Health Organization’s model of the competent pharmacist, one who not only dispenses medication correctly but also counsels patients, collaborates with physicians, and advocates for safe and rational drug use. Dr. Hermantara’s words challenged the graduates not to settle for minimum standards but to pursue excellence throughout their careers, reminding them that every prescription dispensed and every patient counseled is an act of professional trust.
Representing the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (Ikatan Apoteker Indonesia or IAI) Jakarta, apt. Atu Kurnia, M.Farm., extended a warm and official welcome to the new graduates. Her presence at the ceremony underscored the significance of institutional collaboration between universities and professional associations in shaping the future of pharmaceutical practice in Indonesia.
apt. Atu Kurnia assured the class of 2026 that joining the pharmacist profession in Indonesia comes with strong institutional backing. IAI Jakarta has established a comprehensive ecosystem to support newly licensed pharmacists, including access to certified training centers for continuing professional development, regular job fairs connecting graduates with leading hospitals, clinics, and pharmaceutical companies, and a dedicated, fully free legal advocacy team. This legal support service is designed to protect IAI members who may encounter professional challenges or disputes in clinical or industrial settings, ensuring that every pharmacist can practice with confidence and without fear.
This level of support is particularly meaningful for fresh graduates navigating their early careers. Knowing that a professional organization stands behind them legally, educationally, and professionally creates the foundation for greater practitioner confidence and higher quality patient care across the country.
Perhaps the most emotionally powerful moment of the entire ceremony came when valedictorian Patricia Regina Halim took the podium to deliver her farewell address on behalf of the graduating cohort. Her speech was marked by heartfelt gratitude and a clear sense of professional purpose, drawing tears and applause in equal measure from families and faculty alike.
Patricia expressed sincere thanks to the university’s faculty members, preceptors, administrative staff, and the families who had supported the graduates throughout their demanding educational journey. She acknowledged the countless hours of guidance, patience, and mentorship that had shaped not only their clinical skills but also their character as future healthcare professionals.
Moving beyond gratitude, Patricia issued a direct and courageous call to her peers: to place patient safety above all other considerations, to uphold the highest ethical standards in every professional encounter, and to embrace the full weight of the responsibilities that come with their new role as apothecaries. Her words reflected an understanding that becoming a pharmacist is not simply a career milestone but a lifelong vow of service, echoing the very oath each graduate had just taken. Her speech left the auditorium with a profound sense of shared mission and collective responsibility.
The Apothecary Oath Ceremony on October 31, 2026, was more than a celebration for 37 individuals. It was a declaration that i3L University has matured into a credible and capable institution for pharmaceutical education in Indonesia, one that produces graduates equipped not only with technical knowledge but also with the character and conviction to make a real difference in public health.
As Indonesia’s healthcare system continues to expand and evolve, the demand for competent, ethically grounded pharmacists will only grow. Community pharmacies, hospital pharmacy departments, pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and clinical research organizations all need professionals who can be trusted with life-altering decisions every single day.
For students considering a career in pharmacy, i3L University’s Pharmacist Professional Study Program represents a compelling option. It combines strong academic foundations, clinical training partnerships, and direct connections to professional associations like IAI Jakarta that actively support career development from day one after graduation.
To learn more about i3L University’s pharmacy programs, upcoming events, and institutional achievements, visit the official university website at i3l.ac.id. The inaugural Apothecary Oath Ceremony is only the beginning of what promises to be a long and distinguished chapter in Indonesia’s healthcare education story.
The Professional Pharmacist program at i3L is designed to bridge advanced academic knowledge with real-world clinical and industrial expertise. Building upon a solid foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, the curriculum focuses on patient-centered clinical care, advanced pharmacotherapy, regulatory compliance, and pharmaceutical management.
Graduates are fully prepared to take the national pharmacist licensure examination (UKAI), opening immediate pathways to practice as licensed pharmacists across hospitals, community pharmacies, government regulatory bodies, and leading pharmaceutical companies. Accredited for its high standards of professional training, i3L empowers future pharmacists to drive innovation and elevate healthcare delivery in Indonesia and globally.
