An international conference titled “Dengue Prevention and Control in the Post-COVID-19 Era: New Challenges and Role of Innovative Technology” was officially held on April 22-23, 2025, in Tainan, Taiwan. This event addressed new challenges in dengue disease control in the post-pandemic era and explored the potential of innovative technology to strengthen global health detection and response systems.
The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Gadjah Mada University participated in this international scientific forum through the presence of Prof. dr. Jarir At Thobari, DPharm, Ph.D., who served as a speaker and moderator in one of the discussion sessions. Prof. Jarir is a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University, and a member of the board at the Center for Child Health Studies (PKKA-PRO) at Gadjah Mada University.
Prof. Jarir’s participation reflects the strategic role of Indonesian academics in cross-border collaboration networks focused on evidence-based disease control and technological innovation. His presence not only represents UGM, but also Indonesia’s contribution in finding solutions to tropical infectious diseases, which remain a serious threat in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia.
This conference brought together researchers, health practitioners, and policy-makers from various countries. The two-day discussion emphasized the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in preventing and controlling dengue, particularly through the use of the latest technology for early detection, risk mapping, and rapid response systems to potential outbreaks.
The strategic issues raised at this conference are in line with the global agenda from Partnership of Goals point 3: Good Health and Well-Being, through efforts to improve the quality of the health system; point 4: Quality Education, by facilitating knowledge exchange and strengthening academic capacity; point 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, through the use of technology in public health services; and point 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering collaboration among nations and institutions in addressing global health challenges.
Through this forum, Prof. Jarir emphasized the importance of integrating academic research and data-driven policy-making in sustainable dengue control. He also stated that strengthening local innovation capacity and community involvement are key to creating a resilient and adaptive health system.
The participation of FK-KMK UGM in this international conference represents a concrete step toward expanding global academic networks and supporting the mission of the Tridharma of Higher Education. More than just an academic forum, this event opens up opportunities for collaboration and the exchange of solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future of public health. (Contributor: Dhimas Sholikhul Huda, Translator: Tedy A)
