Tag: Universitas Airlangga

Geliat Airlangga, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted monitoring and evaluation of the Triple Elimination Program in three health centers (Puskesmas) in Surabaya. The event was conducted in Puskesmas Sememi, Puskesmas Kedungdoro, and Mahameru Foundation on July 21, 2023.

Collaboration

The visit is a collaborative attempt to eliminate three infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The representatives from Geliat Airlangga, UNICEF, UNAIDS, and WHO visited the health centers to monitor and evaluate the program.

The representatives are Prof Dr Nyoman Anita Damayanti Drg MS from Geliat Airlangga, Joel Renstrom from UNAIDS, Dr Armunanto from UNICEF, and Dr Kemmy Ampera Purnamawati from WHO. They visited Puskesmas Sememi for the first stop, where they saw medical staff and health workers who have worked hard to prevent, detect, and treat HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS prevention program has played a crucial role in reducing the rate of new infections and improving access to treatment services for HIV patients.

“We are committed to continuing our collaboration with the government and organizations. The Triple Elimination Program is an attempt to achieve our shared goals in improving public health,” Dr Kemmy said.

Their next stop was Puskesmas Kedungdoro which also conducted the triple elimination program. The statistics were presented to see the general conditions of the community regarding the program.

Lastly, they visited the Mahameru Foundation Surabaya, a non-governmental organization that focuses in supporting people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). They discussed the challenges and progress in HIV treatment with the PLWHA and the health workers. The foundation’s role in providing social support and timely treatment has helped many patients in their healing process and in preventing the spread of the disease.

“Prevention is the key to addressing HIV. We support the attempts to raise public awareness about the transmission and prevention of HIV. Our goal is to achieve zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths,” Joel Renstrom said.

Appreciation

Geliat Airlangga, UNICEF, UNAIDS, and WHO highly appreciate the hard work and dedication of all parties for the Triple Elimination program. This cross-agency collaboration serves as a real example of joint efforts to achieve significant outcomes in eliminating infectious diseases and improving public health.

The representatives are pledged to provide support and necessary resources to strengthen the Triple Elimination program in Surabaya and East Java. Their goal is to further enhance the effectiveness of the program and make a significant impact in combatting infectious diseases in the region.

Universitas Airlangga is opening a double degree program with the Management and Science University (MSU), Malaysia. The double degree program will involve Master of Management UNAIR and Master of Business Administration (Project Management) MSU Malaysia.

The inauguration of the program was held at the MSU, Malaysia, on Monday, March 13, 2023. It was attended by UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, Malaysian Minister of Higher Education YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, President of MSU Prof. Tan Sri Dato Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, and Prof. Dr. Eddy Yusuf Rector of Jakarta Global University. On the occasion, there was a launching of Dual Campus MSU Shah Alam & MSU Jakarta, and the launching of a Double Degree Program Between MSU-UNAIR-JGU.

“It is time for countries of the same region to hold hands, collaborate and work together. We really believe that this collaboration is not only for MSU and UNAIR and the two countries, but also for the greatest benefit of mankind,” said UNAIR Rector, Prof Moh Nasih.

UNAIR Rector at the launch of the double degree program was joined by Vice Rector for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Dr. Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto DEA Drh,, Vice Rector for Research, Innovation and Community Development Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih Dra MSi, and Vice Rector for Internationalization, Digitalization, and Information Prof. Muhammad Miftahussurur Dr. MKes SpPD-KGEH PhD FINASIM.

Apart from inaugurating the double degree program, UNAIR Rector and staff visited MSU Medical Centre Private Specialist Hospital, had a meeting with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, and had lunch prepared by MSU chefs and students.

The Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Airlangga is widely known as one of the best medical schools in Indonesia. Since its establishment in 1913 as Nederlandsch-Indische Artsen School (NIAS), the faculty has produced professional doctors in the nation’s medical field.

The alumni have built professional medical careers at the national and international levels. Iswanto Sucandy MD FACS, UNAIR Medicine alumnus class of 1997, is one of them. Currently, the Hepatopancreaticobiliary surgeon works at the AdventHealth Medical Group General Surgery in Tampa, Florida, US.

Dr. Iswanto’s career first began in 2007 when he applied for a resident doctor position. ”At that time, I wanted to study overseas, to keep gaining knowledge until I finally landed here. A fellow alumnus at UNAIR told me, ‘maybe you should explore residency programs in the US,’” he stated in Dokter UNAIR TV, The story of UNAIR FK alumnus pursuing Hepatopancreaticobiliary in the US on Monday, January 23, 2023.

To conduct a residency program in the US, he had to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The examination is mandatory for both Americans and foreigners who want to practice medicine in the US. After passing the exam, he spent seven years practicing general surgery residency, including at Jefferson Abington Hospital, Philadelphia.

After that, Dr. Iswanto took a fellowship program for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Surgery at Yale School of Medicine for a year. He was offered a teaching position at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center but chose Tampa, Florida, to continue his career.

Medical career opportunities in the US 

Dr. Iswanto also shared several opportunities he has received as a professional surgeon in the US. The US government is committed to accommodating surgeons to serve the patients.

“The government funds the teaching hospitals to train the surgeons. In the US, we got the government’s funds plus salary,” he said. The government also opens residency programs in teaching and non-teaching hospitals.

“Earlier, interns were only in universities. As time goes by, the government realizes that we need more medical specialists. Therefore, they open standardized residency programs in non-teaching hospitals,” he stated.

Tips on building a medical career in the US 

To be a professional surgeon overseas, Dr. Iswanto believed that strong intention is the main key to success. Many of the doctors were unable to finish the internship program in a competitive environment.

Besides, preparing for USMLE is also required to familiarize with the exam system. “The US has its own examination system and we have to be familiar with the way it works. The problem occurs when the board tests the foreign doctors, they don’t pass as they are not familiar with the test,” he concluded.

Universitas Airlangga keeps making innovations in various fields. The latest research team from the Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline (FTMM) has innovated through a weather and air quality monitoring device with an internet of things (IoT) system called AIRFEEL. This innovation obtained an IPR (intellectual property right) in 2021.

Prisma Megantoro, the research team leader, said that AIRFEEL is a device that can be used to measure weather conditions and air quality, equipped with various sensors.

“AIRFEEL can be used to measure temperature, air humidity, air pressure, wind speed and rainfall. This device is equipped with seven air sensors that are used to measure pollution, such as ozone, CO2, CO, hydrogen, methane, and others,” said Prisma to UNAIR NEWS, Thursday, January 19, 2023.

AIRFEEL is also equipped with a field station consisting of sensors and controllers whose measurement results will be uploaded to the internet server and base station for further storage.

 Research journey 

AIRFEEL development was in four versions. The first version was designed in 2020 before finally experiencing various developments as it is today.

“This research started in 2020, which was overseen by us, novice lecturers, and chaired by,” said Prisma.

The first version was then developed into a second version with broader functions and uses. It was followed by the establishment of a research center at UNAIR FTMM focusing on the visibility of renewable energy power plants in Indonesia.

The development of third version was started in 2022. AIRFEEL has added sensors to measure O2, CO2, and CO in this development. The third version of AIRFEEL was successfully used in ACHD UNAIR community service activities in Sumenep, Madura.

Meanwhile, the fourth version will continue to be developed with various additions and system updates.

“The fourth version will be developed more broadly. Later it will be equipped with Android and hardware versions,” said Prisma.

Benefits and uses 

According to Prisma, knowing the weather conditions and air quality is essential to anticipate the worst possible natural phenomena. With increasingly uncertain weather conditions and air quality, especially in Surabaya, AIRFEEL is really needed.

“First, of course, because it is important to know the condition of air quality in our environment. Therefore, the first trial of AIRFEEL was conducted at UNAIR Campus C,” said Prisma.

“Furthermore, weather monitoring from the AIRFEEL device is also important, especially related to knowledge of weather conditions and climate change,” he added.

In a broader sense, AIRFEEL can be used by academics, students, the public, and industry to measure weather conditions and air quality in various locations and under different conditions.

“It has many benefits. In the scientific field, for example, AIRFEEL can be used in the fields of instrumentation, environment, health, and other fields. AIRFEEL can also be used to measure the potential of wind energy and solar energy. And, AIRFEEL can be a research supporter for other fields of science related to weather and air quality,” said Prisma.

Even though he succeeded in creating this innovation, the research led by an FTMM UNAIR lecturer had its challenges. FTMM, at that time, was still a completely new faculty, so the research was carried out without the students’ support.

By the end of 2020, this research was carried out in collaboration with FTMM students so that development could be more extensive and sophisticated.

“At the end of 2020, students supported us. It will continue in 2021-2022 so that this device can be more sophisticated and its development can be more extensive,” said Prisma.

In the future, Prisma hopes that the development of AIRFEEL can continue with various additional innovations and more sophisticated systems. Apart from that, he also hopes that AIRFEEL can attract industry interest and bring benefit to a wider community.

“I hope this product can attract industry interest and be used as a supporting device. Secondly, I hope that this tool can be widely used in society and can improve people’s lives, such as for tourism and environmental needs, “he concluded.

One of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) academics has made another achievement. A lecturer of Faculty of Law Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Jani Purnawanty,  has obtained 2022 Southeast Asia Journalist-Scientist Hub Impact Seed Funding (ISF) Grant from the Pulitzer Center.

Impact Seed Funding (ISF) is the inaugural program organized by the Pulitzer Center that aims to disseminate journalism works by Rainforest Investigations Network and Rainforest Journalism Fund through synergy between journalists and academics.

Designing MOOC scheme for Education on Forest Issues 

Jani proposed a project entitled Education on Community Involvement in Forest Issues using the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The project will be realized through the creation of popular themed MOOCs,’ Carbon Trading and Forest Conservation’ and ‘Indigenous Peoples and Forest Conservation’.

“UNAIR, through the Directorate of Education Innovation and Development (DIPP), has long developed MOOCs, both subject-based MOOCs offered in study programs or popular theme-based MOOCs for the general public who are interested in studying an issue independently,” said Jani.

“Environmental issues such as forest conservation, carbon trading, and indigenous peoples living in forest areas are issues that are important for many people to understand. Broader public education can be carried out effectively through the MOOC scheme, which is designed to enrich and complement self-learning materials for the community,” she added.

Then, she said, the idea came up as a form of support for the Government of Indonesia, which had stated its commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement to show Indonesia’s seriousness in taking part in the global movement to save the Earth. One of the mechanisms to prevent Earth’s damage is reducing carbon emission levels and maintaining forest sustainability.

Furthermore, as Indonesian indigenous peoples live in forests and from forest products, the role of indigenous peoples in forest conservation is very strategic. When the government regulates and manages forests, the government must involve indigenous people because they have been the ones who, with their wisdom, have guarded and managed forests.

“One of the problems to be discussed in the MOOC’ Carbon Trading and Forest Conservation’ is related to the importance of increasing forest conservation in a carbon trading scheme. Meanwhile, the MOOC’ Indigenous Peoples and Forest Conservation’ will discuss the role of indigenous peoples in handling global warming and climate change issues,” she explained.

She also said that getting a grant award from a world-class institution such as the Pulitzer Center was a big achievement for her. However, the most important thing for her is that Universitas Airlangga, her alma mater, is recorded in the Pulitzer data.  “It confirms UNAIR as a university with a global reputation. I am very grateful to the Director of DIPP UNAIR Prof Dr I Made Narsa SE MSi Ak CA, who has provided so much convenience and fully facilitated the implementation of this MOOC. When I asked for a recommendation, he gave it right away. It is very encouraging,” she said.

The World University Association for Community Development (WUACD) proves that an institution could contribute significantly to the community. In 2018, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) initiated WUACD for more impactful community development programs. The platform is an integrated collaboration of universities worldwide for developing communities to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year, UNAIR hosted the WUACD Summit and Conference in Surabaya. The first day of the Summit was held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the Management Building of UNAIR, Surabaya. The summit discussed several topics, including WUACD continuity and its programs.

UNAIR presented some of its ongoing and completed programs on community development, such as the Ksatria Airlangga Floating Hospital (RSTKA) and Psikologi Mencari Bakat (Psychology Got Talent).

Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih MSi, the Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development, explained the contributions of RSTKA to community development service. “The floating hospital was established to reach numerous remote areas in Indonesia. The RSTKA helps distribute main necessities, such as energy, food, or health, especially for the COVID-19 vaccination program,” Prof. Nyoman said. The archipelagic conditions of Indonesia make equal health service distribution challenging to achieve. “Apart from the health services, RSTKA also provides education for the community,” she continued.

Dr Niko Azhari Hidayat Sp BTKV(K), the coordinator of WUACD health and environment program, explained the Psikologi Mencari Bakat (PMB). The program was managed by UNAIR Faculty of Psychology (FPsi) in collaboration with psychology practitioners and intended for children with disabilities. Since 2021, PMB has collaborated with WUACD to invite international guest judges from Malaysia. At that time, PMB gave 466 children with disabilities the opportunity to show their talents and interests. “The program distinctively stands out as it boosts children’s confidence. They can play, sharpen their skills, and gain potential abilities from the surroundings,” he ended.

The summit also held a signing session of memorandums of understanding between the participating transnational institutions.

Universitas Airlangga lecturer dr Niko Azhari Hidayat Sp BTKV(K) created innovation and a breakthrough in the health sector. The Industrial Engineering lecturer developed ‘Medical Tourism Indonesia’.

‘Medical Tourism Indonesia’ is a platform for medical treatment packaged in tourism activity. Cited from medicaltourism.id page, the platform offers comprehensive health features such as end-to-end services from pick-up service for medical tourists, accommodation, drop-off service to medical facilities, recovery tour trips, and taking them back home.

“Medical Tourism Indonesia is the ‘Traveloka’ of hospitals,” dr Niko said to UNAIR NEWS on Friday, September 9, 2022.

This innovation is claimed to bring in medical tourists from abroad and push down the number of Indonesians who prefer medical treatment abroad. According to the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ), approximately 3 million people get medical treatment overseas, which costs more than 100 Trillion Rupiah annually.

“This is how we support the nation’s economy through medical and tourism. People no longer have to get treatment overseas,” said dr. Niko.

Launched in 2021, the platform was initially in the form of social media for providing medical information. However, to offer wider impacts and excellent features—such as price transparency in treatment, dr. Niko and his team started developing the Medical Tourism Indonesia application, which is now available to the public.

“We have already prepared the payment (system, ed), the mechanism is the last feature to be improved,” said dr. Niko.

Innovation Scale-up

The doctor said that Medical Tourism Indonesia is the scaled-up version of his preliminary breakthrough. Previously, the secretary of UNAIR Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) had also launched vascularindonesia.com, a digital platform for treating patients with blood vessel problems.

“My scale-up program is not within the finance sector only. The program I developed was called ‘Vascular Indonesia Health Travel’ in 2020 which eventually transformed into medical tourism. Medical tourism becomes the second platform,” said dr. Niko.

Every platform he builds is a service to the community. The doctor wants to help provide convenience and positive contributions to society.