Dhanang Edy Pratama

I studied my undergraduate at the University of Brawijaya in Malang City, Indonesia, majoring in chemical engineering. I graduated in 2015 and soon afterward joined an Indonesian food company specializing in spice processing as a supervisor.

In 2014, professors from NCU interviewed in Indonesia seeking new international students. My friends decided to try, but I was focused on finding a job. Eventually, they were accepted and went to Taiwan, while I worked in a company. They shared positive aspects of studying in Taiwan, like technological advancement and the friendliness of Taiwanese people. My university advisors in Indonesia also encouraged me to study in Taiwan. In 2015, when NCU professors visited again, I took the opportunity to interview and was accepted, which I do not regret at all.

The biggest challenge was getting vaccinated for a Taiwanese residence permit, especially finding the MMR vaccine in Indonesia. However, obtaining a Taiwan student visa was straightforward, with helpful staff at the Taiwan Education Center of Indonesia and the International Affairs of my campus.

Working on Practical Engineering Issues at NCU

In 2016, I pursued higher education at National Central University of Taiwan as graduate student in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. I joined the Bio-inspired Materials and High-Throughput Screening Laboratory, obtained my M.Sc. in 2018, and am currently continuing my study as a Ph.D. student in the same laboratory.

My research is about creating and mass-producing chemical substances or materials. My lab specializes in pharmaceutical engineering, where we focus on producing medicine substances in large quantities with high quality and purity. I like working on big projects that relate to practical engineering issues.

I was given a challenging thesis topic with almost no prior research. After much trial and error, I developed a method and polished it, leading to winning a prize for the best poster in a competition held by the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering of NCU.

The teaching styles in Taiwan and Indonesia are similar, using the same textbooks and curricula. The biggest differences are the availability of sophisticated equipment in Taiwan, which is accessible to students, and the international connections I’ve gained here, meeting experts from various countries.

Future Plan

Studying in Taiwan offers advanced learning and networking opportunities. A Ph.D. from Taiwan is high-quality, providing knowledge and connections that give a significant advantage. My experience here will be instrumental in starting a business, enabling me to invent niche products and think globally.

Initially, I planned to teach in a university in my home country. However, after starting my Ph.D., I realized the vast opportunities available for Ph.D. holders. My current goal is to start a business in Indonesia based on my future inventions. I’m open to various opportunities, whether in academia or industry, in Taiwan, Indonesia, or other countries.

Advice for Prospective Students

Learning Mandarin before going to Taiwan is crucial for daily life outside academic settings. Embrace cultural differences, as Taiwanese people are accepting and kind. Studying in Taiwan is a privilege, offering advanced knowledge, hands-on experience with scientific instruments, and a chance to enjoy a different culture.