The Faculty of Medicine USU delegation once again achieved an outstanding accomplishment at the 14th Siriraj International Medical Microbiology, Parasiology, and Immunology Competition (SIMPIC), organized by the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, from January 18–21, 2025. At the prestigious competition, the Faculty of Medicine USU team won six bronze medals, thanks to the outstanding performances of Ruth Maria Situmorang, Nicholash Marcolius Sutanto, Tiffany Frolence, Yuni Harun Marsella, Enrico Franditho Sihombing, and Bill Colson Wijaya.
SIMPIC is an annual competition organized by Mahidol University and has become one of the most prestigious global events in the fields of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Immunology, attracting participants from various countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and India. This year, the competition featured 54 teams and a total of 216 participants from these countries, showcasing their expertise and skills in these important disciplines.
The Faculty of Medicine USU sent two teams to compete in SIMPIC 2025, each consisting of four students. Team 1 consisted of Nathan Ryan Putra Sitompul, Nicholash Marcolius Sutanto, Enrico Franditho Sihombing, and Ruth Maria Situmorang, while Team 2 consisted of Tiffany Frolence, Yuni Harun Marsella, Bill Colson Wijaya, and Bintang Aly Zacky. Both teams were supervised by Dr. dr. Sri Amelia, M.Kes.
The journey began on January 17, 2025, when the delegation arrived in Bangkok. The following day, the opening ceremony was held at the Rajapanadda Sirindhorn Auditorium, Siriraj Hospital. The event was followed by cultural activities featuring traditional Thai food, handicrafts, and games. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Siriraj Medical Museum, which features exhibitions on anatomical pathology, forensic science, parasitology, and anatomy. In the evening, a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River aboard the Alangka Cruise offered stunning views of Bangkok at night.
The official competition began on January 19, 2025, with the Qualification Round consisting of individual and team tests. Of the 54 participating teams, the top 20 teams advanced to the next stage, while the remaining 34 teams competed in the Revival Round the following day for 10 additional spots in the Semi-Final Round. Both Faculty of Medicine USU teams successfully advanced to the Semi-Final Round held on January 20, 2025. Although their journey ended at this stage, six FM USU delegates—Ruth Maria Situmorang, Nicholash Marcolius Sutanto, Tiffany Frolence, Yuni Harun Marsella, Enrico Franditho Sihombing, and Bill Colson Wijaya—successfully won individual bronze medals.
This achievement adds to the impressive track record of the Faculty of Medicine USU at SIMPIC and highlights the significant progress made by its delegates through improved learning strategies and performance evaluation. This achievement is in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, particularly in supporting educational quality, developing student competencies, and providing opportunities for students to enhance their academic abilities at the international level.
The Faculty of Medicine USU delegation would like to express its deepest gratitude to Prof. Dr. dr. Dewi Masyitah Darlan, DAP&E., MPH., Sp.ParK., and Dr. dr. Sri Amelia, M.Kes., as well as our mentors, dr. Bahagia Willibrordus Maria Nainggolan and Moammer Saddam Syahputra Siregar, S.Ked., for their invaluable guidance and support throughout the eight-month preparation.
Beyond being an academic competition, SIMPIC also allowed participants to meet, exchange ideas and cultures, and build connections and friendships with people from around the world. In addition, SIMPIC offered various activities for all participants, including cultural tours in Thailand and recreational activities, providing opportunities to explore Thai culture and enjoy memorable experiences in Thailand. These cross-border interactions and exchanges of experiences also support SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening networks, collaboration, and international academic relationships among students from different countries.