FK-KMK UGM. The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing UGM participated in the Communique Webinar Series as a series of activities for The 2023 Asean Higher Education Conference (AHEC) which was held online on 7 June – 9 August 2023.
Dean of FK-KMK UGM, dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc., Ph.D., FRSPH moderated the Communique Webinar Series #10 which raised the topic “Post COVID Sustainable Health Care and Industry”. dr. Yodi revealed that there is bad news and good news related to the development of the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the world.
“The bad news is, even though the Covid-19 pandemic is no longer a concern for us, in the future there will still be other pandemics that we will face. However, from this experience, the good news that we can be grateful for is that we are better prepared if at any time we have to experience a pandemic again,” he explained.
This relates to the presentation delivered by Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D entitled “Creating Nationwide Research Atmosphere in Higher Education to Prepare New Emerging Health Problems”. The COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated the unprecedented challenges a pandemic can pose to public health, the economy and societal stability. “In 2019-2022, we are experiencing conditions where there are no solutions, no evidence, and no adequate knowledge to fight a sudden high-scale pandemic,” explained Prof. Ova (UGM Rector who previously served as Dean of FK-KMK UGM).
Addressing future pandemics demands a collective effort, with the government playing a central role in facilitating and accelerating research within higher education institutions. Some of the strategies presented by Prof. Ova in his presentation includes enhancing collaboration and interdisciplinary research, investing in research infrastructure, supporting research grants and fellowships, developing early warning systems, promoting open access and data sharing, incentivizing public-private partnerships, investing in training and education, and implementing evidence-based policies.
By fostering collaboration, providing funding, promoting open access, and incentivizing partnerships, the government can help create a thriving research ecosystem that will better prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead. Investing in higher education research today is an investment in a healthier and more resilient future.
AHEC 2023 is a conference that aims to bring together university leaders, lecturers, students, and government and industry representatives from ASEAN countries to discuss strategic and collaborative steps regarding the role of higher education as a growth catalyst. In this activity, the team from FK-KMK collaborated with Padjadjaran University as the organizer of the Communique Webinar Series #10. (Nirwana/Reporter)
