Ahmad Syauqy, S.Gz., M.P.H., Ph.D., is one of the grandchildren of Indonesia’s national hero, namely Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah, or known as Buya Hamka. Buya Hamka is an influential figure and cleric thanks to his thoughts and knowledge regarding education, politics, literature and religion. Ahmad Syauqy also followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by dedicating himself to being a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, studying the scientific field of Nutrition, especially regarding Diet Patterns, Metabolic Syndrome and Biostatistics.
“Nutritional Epidemiology Studies are currently experiencing a shift from previously only looking at one food or a single diet to several types of food contained in one dinner plate or a whole diet. A person’s eating habits will create a pattern, which is called a diet pattern. There are diet patterns that tend towards healthy patterns, and there are also diet patterns that tend to be unhealthy,” he said.
According to him, the healthier a person’s diet, the more protected he is from chronic disease. On the other hand, unhealthy diet patterns will be a risk factor for chronic disease. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms of several cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Someone who experiences metabolic syndrome has a tendency to suffer from diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, which are chronic diseases with high mortality rates in Indonesia and the world. He was also interested in seeing the relationship between diet patterns and metabolic syndrome.
“Dietary patterns are defined as the quantity, proportion, variety, or combination of various types of food, drinks and nutrients in a diet. To determine dietary patterns, you need to take several approaches using biostatistical methods. Here is where biostatistics plays a role as a tool in describing a person’s dietary patterns. An example of a diet pattern that is currently being researched a lot is the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet. “Apart from hypertension, the DASH diet is associated with several other metabolic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes,” continued Ahmad Syauqy.
Currently, he is active in professional organizations, including the Central Management (PP) of the Indonesian Dietitian Association (AsDI) at the national level and the Regional Management Board (DPD) of the Indonesian Nutritionist Association (PERSAGI) at the Central Java level and is active in non-academic activities in the social organization namely Muhammadiyah. While studying for his doctorate at Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Special Branch of Muhammadiyah (PCIM) Taiwan.
For Ahmad Syauqy, Buya Hamka inspired him a lot and inspired millions of people in Indonesia and even the world. As a grandson, this motivates him to continue trying to maintain the pride of the extended Hamka family by continuing in the footsteps of his great-grandfather (Haji Rasul), Buya Hamka, and his father (Afif Hamka). He is grateful that he is currently in the world of education, just like his grandfather.
“I continue to strive to write scientific writings according to my field of science, like Buya Hamka did. Hopefully, I can continue to follow in his footsteps because Buya Hamka has proven that with his writings, he is still ‘alive’ today. The body may be destroyed, but writing and thinking will never die despite changing times and technology. Buya Hamka passed away on July 24, 1981, but he will always be remembered for his immortal works and writings today and in the future. Even now the film can be enjoyed together. That is what inspired me to continue working,” said Ahmad Syauqy.
Ahmad Syauqy is currently the chief editor of the Indonesian Journal of Nutrition. Buya Hamka was also the editor-in-chief of the Community Guidelines Magazine. Buya uses journal media as a means of da’wah and education for the community, while Ahmad Syauqy also uses journal media as a means of da’wah and education for academics.
“Buya Hamka is a multitalented person. Even though his academic title is Doctoral Professor without formal education, he still carries the figure of an accomplished academic who received recognition at national and international levels in his time. His achievement is also a motivation for me to continue learning as much as possible, both nationally and internationally, through formal and non-formal education,” he continued.
Regarding his hopes for Undip’s progress towards becoming a world-class university (WCU), he hopes that Undip can continue to progress towards WCU so that Undip can provide the best values to produce quality, educated, and professional human resources.
“Of course, the path to WCU must be pursued by all elements of the academic community, one of which is improving academic reputation. We must believe that if all elements strive to improve their respective qualities, then Undip will grow even bigger and become a WCU,” he concluded. (LW-Public Relations)
