Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) organized the 15th ASEAN Medical Deans’ Summit (AMDS) as part of the annual agenda of ASEAN Medical Schools Network (AMSN). This time, FK-KMK UGM hosted the 15th AMDS 2025, held for three days in Yogyakarta, May 25-27, 2025. With the theme “Building Impactful Collaborations: Transforming Needs into Actions”, the opening of the 15th AMDS was held at The Alana by Aston Yogyakarta on Monday, 26/5/2025.
In his speech, Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc, Ph.D, FRSPH, said that people now live in an era of advanced technology, intensified global health challenges, and increased academic interconnectivity. Not only that, but collaboration between medical schools in the ASEAN region is also getting stronger. This has prompted efforts to work together to build a resilient, responsive, and sustainable health professional education system.
“It is an honor for us to welcome and become a meeting point for medical education institutions in ASEAN to share ideas, align missions, and strengthen solidarity among medical institutions in our region,” said Prof. Yodi.
In line with Prof. Yodi, President of the ASEAN Medical Schools Network (AMSN), Prof. Dato’ Dr. Yang Faridah Abdul Aziz, also invited the 15th AMDS participants to create meaningful change for the world of medical education, not only acting as experts, but also architects of the future of medical education in ASEAN.
“Let us do something more than just dialogue. Let us build a framework that develops important future initiatives. Face the challenge to make an impact that is not just theoretical, but a lasting change,” said Prof. Yang.
Prof. Dr. Gandes Retno Rahayu, M.Med.Ed., Ph.D, as a representative of UGM, also said that dialogue must continue to carry out impactful actions. The challenges of health care today are increasingly complex, ranging from infectious diseases, health equity to health problems due to climate change. In the face of that, medical education must understand how to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI), health service advocacy, and systems thinking into the curriculum, and prepare for the possibility of the next pandemic through cooperation with a more humanist approach.
“Hopefully, this meeting can produce more impactful goals, such as opening opportunities for faculty and students to socialize across institutions, having more great collaborative research to address regional health priorities, and having a common platform to improve the quality of our education,” Prof. Gandes concluded.
The 15th AMDS activities continued with the 14th AMDS report in Manila, plenary session, press conference, simultaneous session, plenary presentation, AMSN Board Meeting, and cultural dinner. Previously, on the first day, FK-KMK UGM had welcomed the 15th AMDS participants through a welcoming dinner. On day three, the event continued with a city tour of Yogyakarta and a tour of FK-KMK UGM.
Besides the 15th AMDS, AMSN also organized the ASEAN Medical Student Networking (AMSN) 2025 at The Alana by Aston Yogyakarta at the same time. AMSN 2025 events include a poster exhibition, student session, awarding, cultural dinner, and a tour of FK-KMK UGM.
The 15th AMDS is a form of contribution of FK-KMK UGM in encouraging the achievement of partnership the goals, especially point 3: Healthy and Prosperous Life, point 4: Quality Education, point 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and point 17: Partnership to Achieve Goals. (Reported by: Citra Anastasia/Translated by: Tedy Aprilianto)
