Mataram, University of Mataram – The Research Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology (PUBB) of the University of Mataram (Unram) in collaboration with Fukushima Medical University held an International Mini-Symposium and Launching International KKN Unram-FMU 2023 with the theme “Health Education Community Engagement Towards Public Health Sustainanle Development” at the Senate Conference Room, Unram Rectorate on Wednesday (20/12).

The International Mini-Symposium which was combined with the launching of the Unram International KKN was held to discuss topics related to community involvement in health education towards sustainable public health development and is one part of the International Student Community Engagement Program activities initiated to conduct the Joint Student Community Service Program (KKN), the International KKN involving students from Fukushima Medical University and Unram students.

The Rector of Unram, represented by the Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation and Information Systems, Prof. Akmaluddin, S.T., M.Sc. (Eng), Ph.D. in his remarks as well as opening the International Mini-Symposium said that the Rector of Unram was on his way home from Jakarta in order to receive an award from the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia related to Unram’s success as an Informative Public Agency.

“Unram currently has a vision of higher education based on research and internationally competitive in 2025 so that the Rector of Unram continues to improve programs in all fields to achieve this vision. Unram also continues to create, expand and develop various partnerships both nationally, internationally and globally. Unram has established close cooperation with many universities and organizations from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Korea, Japan, India and other countries to achieve these goals, “he said.

Prof. Akmaluddin further said that this International Mini-Symposium is part of the long-term international cooperation between Unram and Fukushima Medical University which has been established since 10 years ago. Prof. Akmaluddin expressed his gratitude to the late previous rector Prof. Sunarpi who had initiated this collaboration, as well as high appreciation to Dr. Eka Prasedya and the team for their hard work and dedication until this activity could be held.

Prof. Akihiro Hazama, Ph.D. as Vice President of Fukushima Medical University as well as Student Team Supervisor in his speech expressed his appreciation for the implementation of this activity and introduced the POMk Program and told the long history of partnership with Unram.

“I have visited University of Mataram for many times, but during the Covid-19 pandemic I could not be here, so I am happy that on this occasion I can participate in this International Mini-Symposium,” he said.

Popularization of Medical Knowledge or better known as the POMk Program itself literally means generalization of medical science. The POMk Program provides opportunities to learn about body mechanisms and disease mechanisms consistently through experiential classes for elementary and junior high school students, as well as seminars for adults that aim to improve the overall health of the community.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr as the Head of LPPM Unram in his report said that this activity was one part of the International Student Community Engagement in the context of implementing a joint Community Service Program (KKN), namely International KKN involving students from Fukushima Medical University and Unram students.

“This program was first implemented and hopefully this activity can continue to be developed later after the extension of the MoU between Unram and Fukushima Medical University. Programs like this contribute to improving Unram’s position in Times Higher Education where one of the important variables is International Partnership and International Student Inbound,” he said.

The International Mini-Symposium presented three keynote speakers, including: Dr. Ir. Misbahuddin, ST, MT, IPU as the Coordinator of Cooperation and Field Studies of LPPM Unram with the material Field Study for Empowering of Village Communities (FS-EVC); Assoc Prof. Isamu Amir as Student Team Supervisor Fukushima Medical University with the material Current Situation of National Environmental Health and Gu-Gu-Ru Project in Japan; Dr.Eng Wirarama Wedashwara, S.T., MT as Unram Informatics Engineering Lecturer with the material Data Mining and Machine Learning for Digital Health; Dr. dr. E Hagni Wardoyo, MD., Ph.D. Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Unram with the material Medical Education and Public Health Challenges in Indonesia; Eka Sunarwidhi Prasedya, Ph.D. as the Founder of PUI-Bioscience and Biotechnology Unram acted as moderator while introducing the International Student Community engagement Program FMU 2023.

This activity also presented invited speaker students from Fukushima Medical University, namely: Kazuma Tate with the material Impacts of Health Education Events in Fukushima Earthquake Refugees; Miho Shinozuka with the material Medical Students Learning Experiences in Health Education Events; and Arisa Ikunaga with the material Barriers Around Healthcare in Nepal compared to Japan.