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Tag: Indonesia

SDGs Connect focuses on global well-being

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Today, universities no longer serve only as centers of education but are transforming into ecosystems responsible for the health and well-being of communities. This urgency emerged at the international conference SDGs Connect: AUN-HPN, 11th IAC Meeting & 5th Health Promotion International Conference 2026. The event, which served as a platform for strengthening cross-border collaboration in Asia, took place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Garuda Mukti Hall, UNAIR MERR-C Campus Management Office.

Partners of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), namely the ASEAN University Network-Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) and Mahidol University, had the opportunity to deliver remarks at the event. The AUN-HPN delegation was represented by Prof. Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Executive Director of AUN-HPN. Meanwhile, Mahidol University President Prof. Piyamitr Sritara delivered remarks online on behalf of the university.

One Health approach as health promotion strategy

The President of Mahidol University, Prof Piyamitr Sritara MD FRCP, delivered a speech on Mahidol University’s health promotion strategy based on the One Health approach. This approach connects human, animal, and environmental health as a single, integrated whole. According to him, the university takes an active role in integrating the One Health approach into its curriculum, research, innovation, and institutional governance.

“Together, we have the opportunity to transform our campus into a living health promotion laboratory and a catalyst for positive change throughout Asia and beyond,” he said.

He also emphasized that living laboratories are not only beneficial within the university but also extend to the regional (Asian) and global levels. Therefore, strong partnerships and a shared commitment are crucial elements for creating a healthier university in the future.

Real action toward achieving SDG 3

In line with Prof. Sritara, Prof Dr Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Executive Director of AUN-HPN, stated that the Healthy University framework and assessment system have become an important guideline for institutions in measuring progress and identifying areas for improvement. This reflects the needs of every student and staff member who requires access to health and well-being services.

“That’s why our responsibility extends to campus policies, mental health support, healthy lifestyles, and inclusive access to services,” he said.

In addition to realizing health and well-being from the campus to the global level, this forum also contributes directly to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Meetings, conference sessions, and global collaboration forums also provide opportunities to exchange experiences and explore future partnerships. “I hope these discussions will generate practical ideas that universities can adapt to their own needs and resources,” he concluded. (*)

International Summer Course of FKM USU

Posted on by Risanti

The Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FKM USU), successfully organized its first International Summer Course from 12–20 October 2026 under the theme “Local Wisdom in Supporting Community Health in Tropical Areas in North Sumatra Province of Indonesia.” The program was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., Vice Rector III for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation at Universitas Sumatera Utara.

Conducted in a hybrid format, the program combined four days of online academic sessions with field visits and cultural activities in North Sumatra. Ten academic topics explored tropical public health, social determinants of health, adolescent reproductive health, Indigenous community nutrition, maternal and child health, ethnomedicine, and wellness tourism. The field visits provided participants with opportunities to explore the cultural heritage, local wisdom, and community life of Karo and Samosir, North Sumatra. The program concluded with a cultural performances in Samosir, celebrating cultural diversity of participants.

The program brought together 22 participants from diverse international backgrounds, representing Mali, Algeria, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Malaysia, Madagascar, and Malawi. This diversity created opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, international networking, and the sharing of perspectives on public health challenges across different countries and communities.

The academic sessions featured nine speakers representing Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. From Indonesia, the speakers were Prof. Dr. Dra. Ida Yustina, M.Si.; Prof. Etti Sudaryati, M.K.M., Ph.D.; Prof. Dra. Nurmaini, M.K.M., Ph.D.; Risanti Febrine Ropita Situmorang, S.K.M., M.Sc.; Dhani Syahputra Bukit, S.K.M., M.K.M.; and Destanul Aulia, S.K.M., M.B.A., M.Ec., Ph.D. International speakers included Dr. Anisah Binti Baharom from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia; Prof. Dr. Zaleha Md Isa from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia; and Dr. Liang-Yin Hsu from Tzu Chi University, Taiwan.

By integrating academic learning, cultural exchange, and field-based engagement, the International Summer Course strengthened cross-cultural understanding and opportunities for international collaboration in education, research, and community engagement. The program also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

USU Explores Documentary Storytelling

Posted on by Anastasya Hasugian

Communication science students at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) examined how documentary filmmakers shape narratives and maintain credibility during a guest lecture with Ari Trismana, director of Watchdoc Documentary, on 24 September 2026.

Around 60 students attended the session at USU’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences in Medan, Indonesia. Organised by the university’s Communication Science Study Programme, the lecture connected classroom learning with the practical decisions involved in documentary production.

Yovita Sabarina Sitepu, head of the programme, said the session complemented the Film Studies course by introducing students to a practitioner’s perspective. She explained that many students remained more familiar with film as entertainment, despite studying it through academic theory. The lecture aimed to broaden their understanding of documentary filmmaking and encourage those interested in production to explore the genre.

Drawing on his professional experience, Ari discussed how filmmakers develop ideas and construct stories during production. His presentation explored how choices about events and perspectives influence the narratives audiences encounter, and why credibility matters when representing real people and situations.

Students questioned how filmmakers could communicate complex realities without producing contradictory or misleading messages. The discussion brought questions of representation and responsibility into their examination of storytelling techniques.

When asked how beginners should approach documentary production, Ari encouraged students to begin with subjects that interested them while considering the consequences of their work.

“For those who are new to documentary production, I always suggest first choosing a subject they find interesting. They need not feel burdened with addressing a public interest issue, as long as their work does no harm,” Ari said.

His advice offered students a starting point for developing documentary ideas: personal curiosity, accompanied by attention to the people and issues represented.

The lecture extended the Film Studies discussion beyond theory to the choices filmmakers face in practice. For students exploring the genre, it placed creative development alongside the need to build credible narratives and consider a story’s potential impact.

USU Identifies Gaps in Village Preparedness

Posted on by Anastasya Hasugian

Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has identified gaps in disaster-awareness coverage within Sidoharjo I Pasar Miring’s 11 hamlets, highlighting the need for clearer youth volunteer roles, alternative emergency communication channels and age-appropriate preparedness materials.

The findings emerged from a focus group discussion held on 11 August 2026. The event brought together 36 participants, including representatives from the village government, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Village Consultative Body (BPD), youth and women’s groups, volunteers, community representatives and USU academics.

Youth participation was a central part of the discussion. Reza Syahputra, head of the village youth organisation Karang Taruna, said young people had supported the village government during floods, strong winds and other emergencies.

“Our youth organisation has helped the village government respond directly when disasters occur,” Reza said.

He proposed community disaster drills to help young people, volunteers and residents understand their respective responsibilities before, during and after an emergency.

Participants also highlighted the importance of introducing disaster preparedness from an early age. Sri Wahyuni, a BPD member and kindergarten teacher, uses stories, songs and physical demonstrations to teach children how to protect their heads, avoid glass and move safely towards an assembly point.

Her experience highlighted the need for illustrated and age-appropriate materials that teachers and parents could use to introduce disaster preparedness to young children.

The discussion also examined how disaster information moves through the village. Residents generally receive warnings through WhatsApp groups, social media and direct communication from BPBD and hamlet heads. Information is usually verified in the field before being shared with the wider community.

However, participants found that disaster-awareness activities had not yet reached all 11 hamlets. They also identified the need for alternative communication channels when electricity or mobile networks are unavailable.

During the event, Onan Marakali Siregar, a Business Administration lecturer, facilitated a session on disaster governance covering local hazards, vulnerable groups, evacuation responsibilities, logistics and coordination. Yovita Sabarina Sitepu, a Communication Science lecturer, led a session on disaster risk communication.

Programme leader Februati Trimurni, a Public Administration lecturer, said community experience was essential to developing preparedness measures suited to local conditions.

“As academics, we understand the theories and concepts of disaster management. However, understanding conditions on the ground requires us to listen to how the community has responded to disasters,” she said.

The initiative forms part of USU’s Village Development Programme, supported by the university’s Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM). Coordinated by Muhammad Arifin Nasution, the programme is implemented by a multidisciplinary team from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) in collaboration with the village government.

The discussion identified four priorities for strengthening village preparedness: extending awareness activities to all hamlets, clarifying the responsibilities of youth volunteers, developing child-friendly educational materials and preparing alternative communication methods for network or electricity disruptions.

UiTM–UNAND: Learning Beyond Borders

Posted on by Aidil Ibrahim

Students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, and Universitas Andalas (UNAND), Indonesia, recently engaged in a meaningful cross-border academic collaboration centred on Food Microbiology. The initiative provided students with an opportunity to exchange knowledge, share academic perspectives, and learn from one another beyond the boundaries of their respective classrooms.

The knowledge exchange programme started with a hands-on workshop on practical food microbiology involving undergraduate students from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Andalas. The session was led by UiTM lecturers as invited speakers, while the UiTM laboratory personnel served as facilitators, guiding students through applied techniques in microbial handling, food safety testing, and laboratory workflow practices. The workshop emphasised not only technical skills, but also the importance of proper documentation, biosafety awareness, and quality assurance in microbiological analysis, which are competencies essential for future researchers and industry practitioners.

As part of the activity, students undertaking the Food Microbiology course at UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan shared their knowledge and learning experiences with the participating students from UNAND. In return, the UNAND students contributed their own perspectives, experiences, and knowledge related to their field of study. This reciprocal approach transformed the session into an active learning environment where students were not merely recipients of information, but also contributors to the learning process.

The cross-border collaboration supported experiential and collaborative learning by encouraging students to communicate, discuss ideas, compare perspectives, and apply their academic knowledge in a practical context. Through interactions with peers from another country and academic discipline, students were also exposed to different approaches to food safety, microbiological issues, and related challenges within the food production chain.

Beyond academic knowledge, the activity fostered important transferable skills, including communication, teamwork, critical thinking, confidence, and intercultural awareness. Students were encouraged to consider how food-related challenges can be viewed from multiple perspectives and how knowledge from different disciplines can complement one another in addressing real-world issues.

The collaboration also provided an opportunity for students to develop a broader global outlook. By engaging directly with international peers, students gained greater awareness of similarities and differences in educational experiences, professional practices, and food safety concerns across countries.

Overall, the UiTM–UNAND cross-border learning activity demonstrates the value of international academic collaboration in enriching student learning. Such initiatives can complement conventional classroom teaching by creating authentic opportunities for knowledge construction, cultural exchange, and global engagement. The experience is expected to serve as a foundation for future cross-border educational activities that further strengthen student competencies and prepare graduates to participate confidently in an increasingly interconnected academic and professional environment.

Autoethnography Reveals Gender Negotiation

Posted on by Sri Alem Br. Sembiring

Four anthropologists from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) told the 4th Annual Kartini Conference on Indonesian Feminisms (KCIF2026) that autoethnography reveal hidden, bargained and partial gender change in Acehnese, Karo, Chinese Indonesian and university setting with education as a recurring lever. In an Acehnese noble household, a husband who shares housework may lose honour. In a Chinese Indonesian family in Padang, a wife may be quietly barred from work. Such negotiation, hidden from public view, surface when researchers read their own lives as data. The presentations were part of the 4th Annual Kartini Conference on Indonesian Feminisms (KCIF2026), held online via Zoom from 6 to 13 September 2026. Held online via zoom from 6 to 13 September 2026 and organized by a consortium of LETSS Talk, Mitra Wacana and the ETNOGRAFIK Research Center at USU.

In, Aceh, Dra. Tjut Syahriani, M.Soc,Sc. found that noble couples often settle on egalitarian arrangements in private and hide them, since shared housework can cost a husband his honour. Reading this through R.W. Connell’s book Masculinities (1995), which describes a dominant ideal of manhood tied to earning and public leadership, she showed men concealing domestic work rather than rejecting it.

In Padang, such constraints have a history. Dr. Mariana Makmur, MA., traced how Dutch colonial schooling divided Chinese Indonesian families: those exposed to it favoured fairer inheritance and wider social participation, while others preserved patriarchal subordination. Across generations, control has shifted from women’s bodies and movement to subtler limits, such as spouses forbidding paid work.

Karo women in Medan, in turn, bargain with such constraints. Dra. Sabariah Bangun, M.Soc.Sc., drew on Deniz Kandiyoti’s essay “Bargaining with Patriarchy” (Gender & Society, 1988), which describes women accepting constraints while manoeuvring within them, to explain how urban Karo women balance customary obligations against careers. Education, employment and economic contribution widen their room to negotiate.

Bargaining falters, however, where intimacy itself is the danger. Dra. Nita Savitri, M.Hum., found in her classes on gender-based violence that perpetrators frequently come from survivors’ closest circles, consistent with National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) national annual data, leaving survivors torn between staying and leaving. She proposed trained peer educators and film-based teaching suited to Generation Z, while cautioning that patriarchal structures cannot be dismantled by academic intervention alone.

The panel “Autoethnography: Challenges and Opportunities for Women Educators in Promoting Gender-Just Relations,” was moderated by Dr. Sri Alem Br. Sembiring, Head of Social Anthropology at USU’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences. Presenters followed Carolyn Ellis and Arthur Bochner’s chapter “Autoethnography, Personal Narrative, Reflexivity: Researcher as Subject” (2000, Handbook of Qualitative Research).

The four studies suggest a working proposition: education widens women’s room to bargain, but shifts the terms of negotiation more than the structure around it. Equality remains private in Aceh, control turns subtler in Padang, and academic intervention meets patriarchal limits in the classroom. Whether such private bargains lead to collective change, or settle into a stable accommodation, is what these first-person accounts cannot yet settle.

USU Students Reflect on Social Issues

Posted on by Stela Ingri Lorensia

The Organizing Committee of the New Member Admission Program (PPAB) of GMNI, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), held a student-focused book discussion on Laut Bercerita by Leila S. Chudori, engaging prospective members as participants. The activity served as an alternative learning platform, using literature to explore critical social issues.

The discussion centered on reflections on the 1998 humanitarian tragedy, particularly the enforced disappearances of activists, and examined its relevance to contemporary debates on the role of the state and democracy. Students actively connected the novel’s narrative with present-day social realities.

Through this initiative, participants were encouraged to strengthen critical thinking, cultivate empathy, and deepen their awareness of humanitarian values and democratic principles within both campus life and wider society.

UNAIR holds ceremony for KNB recipients

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) officially graduated four international students under the Developing Countries Partnership (KNB) Scholarship . The ceremony was held on Friday (August 21, 2026) in the Amerta Room, Rectorate Building, MERR-C Campus. Among this year’s graduates were four international students: Luxshika Tharmarajah from Sri Lanka, Fernando Sico Elo from East Timor, Mojeeb Abdo Abdullah Qasem from Yemen, and Faisal Aftab from Pakistan.

In his remarks, UNAIR Rector Prof Dr Muhammad Madyan MFin praised the students for their hard work, dedication, and every effort they had put into completing their studies. He noted that the KNB program was more than an academic scholarship, it also served as a bridge for strengthening friendship, cooperation, and understanding between nations.

“During your time here, you not only gained knowledge, but also became part of the larger Universitas Airlangga family, while helping maintain strong relations between Indonesia and your home countries,” he said.

Prof Madyan added that he hoped the knowledge, experience, and networks the graduates had built during their studies at UNAIR would equip them to make a tangible impact, both in Indonesia and around the world. He also thanked the KNB program, the graduate school, and everyone who had supported the graduates throughout their academic journey. “Congratulations as you begin your service in your respective fields as part of your life’s journey, and take pride in being part of the UNAIR family,” he said.

Faisal Aftab, one of the graduates, described his time at UNAIR as comfortable and rewarding. Beyond his coursework, he said, the experience allowed him to learn a new language and culture while getting to know Indonesia more closely. “At first, it was difficult because of the differences in language and culture. But once I started studying, I came to love how amazing Indonesian culture is,” he explained.

Aftab said UNAIR had helped turn his dream into reality, offering facilities and opportunities he had never had access to before. “I’m truly grateful for the chance to learn from such outstanding professors. I’ve been here for three years, but it still feels like I arrived only yesterday. Given another opportunity, I would come back to Indonesia, this country has given me so much hope and knowledge,” he added.

UNODC Training for Addiction Counsellors

Posted on by ritonga_86

The Social Welfare Study Programme at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of North Sumatra (FISIP USU), in collaboration with the North Sumatra Association of Addiction Counsellors (IKAI Sumut), successfully organised the Treatnet Volume A Addiction Counsellor Training. This strategically important event took place over five days, from 10 to 14 August 2026, on the FISIP USU campus. The training featured National Trainers and internationally certified facilitators from the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) and the Colombo Plan as the main speakers. Through this intensive, globally standardised training, participants were equipped with in-depth clinical competencies and skills in the management and counselling of addiction.

The Head of the Social Welfare Studies Programme at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, USU, Fajar Utama Ritonga, S.Sos, M.Kesos, expressed his appreciation to IKAI SUMUT and UNODC for organising the training; According to him, this collaboration is greatly needed by various parties, including social workers specialising in drug abuse who, together with addiction counsellors, strive to rehabilitate victims of drug abuse in social rehabilitation centres. The main issue identified by research conducted in the field of social rehabilitation for drug abuse is sectoral egoism between the institutions responsible for social rehabilitation for addiction – namely the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Ministry of Social Affairs – specifically the absence of social workers in the social rehabilitation centres run by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) as its social rehabilitation service units. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs has transferred all social workers specialising in drug abuse to social rehabilitation centres owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs or to Regional Technical Service Units. Sectoral ego must be eliminated, as social workers and addiction counsellors are like siblings in providing services within the field of social rehabilitation for drug abuse..

 

The event was also brought to a close by the Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) for North Sumatra Province, Brigadier General Tatar Nugroho, S.I.K., S.H., M.H., who is the principal official responsible for combating drug trafficking at the source in North Sumatra Province. The collaboration we have built so far must be strengthened in the future between the academic community of the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) – through the Tri Dharma of Higher Education – the Social Rehabilitation Institute and the North Sumatra Provincial National Narcotics Agency, so that together we can reduce the prevalence of drug abuse in North Sumatra, which has consistently ranked first amongst Indonesian provinces with the highest prevalence of drug abuse.

UNAIR student learns robotic surgery in Italy

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Medical student from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Rizal Rachbini Mahlevi, had the opportunity to deepen his knowledge of robotic surgical technology in the Department of Urology at Ospedale Borgo Trento, Verona, Italy. The activity took place from July 27–31, 2026, as part of the student outbound program under the KKN Penyetaraan program through the Università degli Studi di Verona. The activity focused on learning about robot-assisted nephrectomy using the Da Vinci Xi robotic system. Through the program, Mahlevi gained experience observing the application of minimally invasive surgery in urological procedures, including kidney transplantation.

Mahlevi explained that his interest in urology was one of the reasons he chose to deepen his knowledge of robotic surgical technology. He noted that minimally invasive approaches have the potential to support faster patient recovery. “As technology continues to advance, surgical procedures are increasingly moving toward safer and minimally invasive approaches. These approaches benefit both patients and doctors by reducing surgical trauma and accelerating the recovery process,” he explained.

During the activity, Mahlevi joined patient visits to observe assessments and postoperative patient management, while also learning about robot-assisted surgery in kidney transplantation. He also had the opportunity to study laparoscopic mapping, the robot-assisted nephrectomy procedure, and the use of indocyanine green to assess renal tissue perfusion after transplantation.

According to Mahlevi, one of the key differences he observed while studying urology in Italy was the broader use of robotic technology. This provided healthcare professionals with more opportunities to develop their competencies in modern surgical technology. He hopes access to modern surgical technology in Indonesia can continue to be developed so that its benefits can reach more patients.

“I hope that the field of minimally invasive surgery in Indonesia can be further developed, both through enhancing the competence of medical personnel and expanding access to modern surgical technology,” he stated. As a closing statement, Mahlevi encouraged students who wish to join similar programs not to limit their learning to established systems. “Keep your curiosity alive, be willing to ask questions, engage in discussions, and seek new experiences. Make the most of every opportunity to build connections and broaden your knowledge as much as possible,” he concluded.