UNDIP, Semarang (May 28, 2025) – The Faculty of Public Health at Universitas Diponegoro (FKM UNDIP) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international collaboration by holding its 7th Summer Course, which has been underway since May 15, 2025. This year’s program, titled “Community Participation in Public Health: Public Health Through the Lens of Traditional Culture and Local Wisdom,” emphasizes the importance of cultural approaches in addressing public health issues. The course featured lectures through May 24 and continues with assignments via MOOCs through July 2025.
The program offers an interactive learning forum that not only delivers academic content but also fosters cross-cultural dialogue on community engagement in health. Over ten days, the Summer Course provided a comprehensive learning experience through 16 thematic modules delivered by 17 speakers from both national and international institutions, including FKM UNDIP, the Indonesian Ministry of Health, WHO Indonesia, the University of Canberra Health Research Institute, Jamu Sumber Husodo, the Wahana Bakti Foundation, and hyacinth craft artisans from Rawa Pening.
A key highlight of the program was the participation of Dr. Kinley Wangdi from the University of Canberra, who presented an international module on the use of spatial analysis in public health. The presence of international experts added academic depth and reinforced the program’s global dimension.
Participation in the 2025 Summer Course was noteworthy, with 34 participants from 14 countries joining the program synchronously via Zoom and asynchronously through the MOOC platform. Their enthusiasm was evident in their active engagement during discussion sessions, which received praise from the facilitators. The program served as a strategic platform for building international networks and broadening participants’ perspectives on health collaboration grounded in local values.
To honor participant dedication, awards were given to those demonstrating outstanding commitment. Von Kok Yean (Malaysia), Sumayya K. Dandago (Nigeria), and Bashir M. Mohamoud (Somalia) were named Best Participants. At the same time, Zohaib Hassan Sain (Pakistan) received the Most Loyal Participant award for his consistent involvement throughout the program.
During the closing session, Cita Fitria Putri, M.K.M., Chair of the 2025 Summer Course Committee, emphasized that local wisdom is not merely a cultural heritage but a vital resource in shaping sustainable public health approaches. She also invited all participants to continue their collaboration at upcoming international events hosted by FKM UNDIP, including the 6th ICOPH-TCD Conference in July 2025 and the 8th Summer Course scheduled for September 2025.
Echoing the sentiment, Dr. Budiyono, Dean of FKM UNDIP, expressed his appreciation to all participants and the organizing team for the successful performance of the program. He hoped the academic partnerships formed during the course would continue through future scientific initiatives, and he praised the participants for their unwavering engagement through the final session.
Through this Summer Course, FKM UNDIP once again demonstrated that cross-cultural collaboration and the integration of local values can enhance solutions to global health challenges. A culturally based approach fosters more inclusive, contextual, and relevant discussions in addressing today’s public health issues. (Public Communication/FKM UNDIP/Wulan K.)
