FK-KMK UGM. The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) UGM welcomed a visit from the Australian Catholic University on Friday (31/5) at the Tahir Foundation Graduate Building, FK-KMK UGM. The meeting was attended by a delegation from the Australian Catholic University, including Professor Abid Khan (Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise), Professor Phil Parker (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research), Professor Leonidas Karagounis (Professor of Research Translation & Enterprise), and Michelle Lopez (Director, Graduate Research School).
The Australian Catholic University has a wide campus network across Australia, including nursing and education fields spread across various locations. Although it does not have a medical faculty, the university is committed to developing the health field through strong programs and research in the area. Professor Abid Khan, as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, stated, “Australian Catholic University’s excellence and primary focus in the health field include our commitment to academic excellence by providing high-quality programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare and a focus on innovative research contributing to the advancement of health science. Our university is also committed to community empowerment by collaborating with various communities to enhance quality of life and well-being through sustainable healthcare services.”
Additionally, the Australian Catholic University has numerous community programs collaborating with veteran communities, offering support and specialized services for them. With an emphasis on ethical and spiritual approaches in health education and practice, the Australian Catholic University ensures that ACU graduates are not only technically competent but also have high moral integrity.
In response to the presentation by the Australian Catholic University, Dr. Ahmad Hamim Sadewa, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, expressed, “We hope that UGM and ACU can build a strong collaboration by connecting work, joint programs, graduate programs, mobility or exchange programs, and cooperation in advanced research, especially in the field of translational medicine and sport science.”
Regarding sport science, Prof. Dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc., Ph.D., FRSPH, the Dean, stated that Sports Science is currently a sustained and evolving topic. “Recently, UGM was asked by government institutions to enhance sports science and its implementation for national athletes and clubs so that Indonesia can become one of the best performers in Asia and international Olympics by 2024-2025. Meanwhile, sports science and sports medicine are key to achieving this goal. Therefore, the fields of sports science and sports nutrition are now priority points for this,” added Prof. Yodi.
Furthermore, Dr. Lina Choridah, Sp.Rad(K), Deputy Dean for Research and Development, presented FK-KMK UGM’s efforts and commitments in digital education strategies. “Currently, the development of digital health education is being vigorously pursued here. The nursing and nutrition departments are actively developing integrated AI and VR technologies to enhance learning experiences. This presents an exciting opportunity where collaborations can be built more extensively,” Prof. Lina explained.
Haryani, S.Kp., M.Kes., Ph.D., Head of the Nursing Program at FK-KMK UGM, in her address, mentioned that the Nursing Department currently has four study concentrations including mental and community health, medical-surgical, basic and emergency nursing, and maternal nursing. “We have more than 500 undergraduate students, as well as master’s programs with five majors. We are building strong international collaborations with various universities in Japan, the UK, and ASEAN countries for research, student exchanges, professor visits, and guest lectures. Currently, we are focusing on building strong research in palliative care,” she explained.
dr. Dwi Budiningsari, SP., M.Kes., Ph.D., Head of the Health Nutrition Program at FK-KMK UGM, introduced the department’s profile to the guests. “The nutrition department has more than 500 undergraduate students and postgraduate programs such as dietitian professional education. We also have strong collaborations with international universities, such as the Australian National University in research collaboration, student mobility, student exchange from Universiti Putra Malaysia, and international student internships at our hospital and communal sites,” he said. Currently, the Health Nutrition Department at FK-KMK UGM has six study concentrations including clinical nutrition, community nutrition, food system management, molecular nutrition, sports nutrition, and functional foods in the nutrition field. “Currently, we are implementing strategic interventions in athlete management and advanced sports science at the national level in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia,” he added.
In this meeting, both universities collaborated to develop advanced VR technology and e-Learning platforms to support the student learning process in mastering diagnostic abilities, assessing situations, and finding appropriate interventions. AI will be integrated to provide feedback to student work. Both universities also demonstrated the potential for multiprofessional collaboration to work together, analyze situations, and solve problems to maintain best practices in healthcare delivery systems. The visit and collaboration of the two universities reflect their commitment to SDGs Point 3, regarding the importance of good health and well-being for all individuals. Additionally, this visit also supports SDGs Point 4 by strengthening education for sustainable development, facilitating knowledge and experience exchange between the two institutions in efforts to improve the quality of education and healthcare services for the community. (Assyifa/Reporter).
