FKM Unhas Deploys Students for Field Practice (PBL 1) in Soppeng Regency: A Strong Commitment to Community Engagement
Makassar, July 10, 2025 – The Faculty of Public Health at Universitas Hasanuddin (FKM Unhas) once again demonstrates its commitment to educating students who are ready to serve the community. Held at the FKM Unhas campus, a send-off ceremony was conducted for students participating in the Field-Based Learning (PBL) 1 program, which will take place in Soppeng Regency from July 14 to 28, 2025. This program involves students from the 2023 cohort who are currently in their fourth semester. A total of 36 villages and urban communities across eight subdistricts—Marioriwawo, Liliriaja, Lilirilau, Lalabata, Donri-Donri, Marioriawa, Ganra, and Citta—will serve as fieldwork locations. To ensure academic guidance, 36 lecturers from various departments within FKM Unhas will participate as supervisors, directly mentoring students throughout their fieldwork activities. The PBL 1 Committee Chair, Mr. Dian Saputra Marzuki, S.KM., M.Kes., who also serves as a lecturer in the Department of Health Administration and Policy, explained that this activity is an essential part of the academic curriculum. It is designed to train students to identify public health problems in real-world settings and to systematically determine appropriate priorities for intervention. “PBL 1 serves as a crucial bridge between classroom theories and field realities. Students not only learn how to identify health issues, but also how to engage ethically and professionally with the community,” he stated. During the briefing session, students were encouraged and reminded to uphold ethical conduct, integrity, and professionalism during their field assignments. The Dean of FKM Unhas emphasized that this activity is part of the institution’s continuous efforts to produce high-quality graduates who are socially responsive and capable of making meaningful contributions to society. The PBL 1 program also reflects FKM Unhas’ support for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” By strengthening student capacities in understanding and addressing public health issues, FKM Unhas actively contributes to achieving global development goals. With a spirit of dedication, FKM Unhas deploys its students to work directly with communities—not only as part of their academic training, but also as a tangible institutional contribution toward improving community well-being through a community-based public health approach.
Environmental Health Master’s Students from Unhas Expand Global Networks through Academic Visit to Mahidol University, Thailand
Bangkok, UNHAS.TV – As part of its commitment to academic internationalization, Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) has sent 31 postgraduate students from the Environmental Health program to Mahidol University, Thailand. Held from July 7 to 8, 2025, the visit included a benchmarking program and an intensive training focused on “Environmental Health Technology, Management, and Sustainability”, hosted by one of Southeast Asia’s leading public health institutions. Over the course of two full days, participants engaged in dynamic academic discussions, expert presentations, and hands-on workshops that explored innovative approaches to sustainable environmental health management. A highlight of the program was a workshop on Health Risk Assessment (HRA) led by Assoc. Prof. Suphaphat Kwonpongsagoon, Ph.D, a distinguished scholar from the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University. In her session, Prof. Kwonpongsagoon emphasized the critical role of data-driven innovation in addressing environmental health challenges, particularly within the Southeast Asian context. She explained how the HRA framework serves as a foundational tool for identifying, assessing, and managing health risks related to environmental factors—offering a comprehensive basis for policy and effective interventions. Laying the Groundwork for Deeper Academic Collaboration Prof. Dr. Anwar Daud, M.Kes, Head of the Environmental Health Postgraduate Program at Unhas, highlighted the relevance of this benchmarking initiative in enhancing curriculum quality and research development. He noted promising opportunities for joint research, especially in the areas of environmental monitoring technologies, sustainable management systems, and studies on chemical and microbial hazards. Prof. Anwar, who earned his doctoral degree from Mahidol University, added that the institution’s extensive experience could serve as a model for advancing Unhas’s own graduate programs. Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Dr. Sukri Palutturi, Ph.D, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health at Unhas, stated that the visit served as a valuable platform for academic exchange between the two institutions. He expressed hope that the initiative would pave the way for broader academic collaboration—ranging from student and faculty exchange, joint research projects, to collaborative scientific publications. Advancing Internationalization and SDG Commitment Renowned for its commitment to innovation and sustainability in public health education, Mahidol University provided an ideal setting for this international academic engagement. The benchmarking activity aligns with Unhas’s ongoing efforts to support its internationalization agenda and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in environmental health. This program represents a concrete step in Unhas’s mission to innovate and lead in creating healthier and more sustainable environments. The initiative, championed by Prof. Dr. Anwar Daud, SKM., M.Kes., EHS and Prof. Anwar Mallongi, SKM., MSc., Ph.D, is expected to expand further—strengthening Unhas’s role as a World-Class University committed to global collaboration and excellence.
Strengthening Global Networks: FKM Unhas Explores Postgraduate Collaboration with Mahidol University
Bangkok, UNHAS.TV – In an effort to expand international academic partnerships, the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) at Universitas Hasanuddin has initiated strategic discussions with the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand. This initiative marks the beginning of a potential collaboration to be formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), particularly in the areas of postgraduate education and research in public and environmental health. The bilateral meeting took place on July 8, 2025, in Bangkok, in conjunction with the Workshop on Environmental Health Technology, Management, and Sustainability, held on July 7–8, 2025, at Mahidol University. This scientific forum served as a platform to connect scholars from various institutions and strengthen cross-border academic dialogue. FKM Unhas was represented by two key figures: Prof. Dr. Anwar Daud, SKM., M.Kes, Head of the Master of Environmental Health Program, and Prof. Anwar Mallongi, SKM., MSc., Ph.D, Vice Dean for Partnerships, Research, and Innovation. From Mahidol University, the meeting was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Dr. Sarawut Thepanondh. The Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand, Dr. Sarawut Thepanondh, delivered a welcoming speech before the FKM Unhas delegation. Collaborative Focus: Joint Curriculum, Research, and Academic Engagement Discussions between the two institutions centered on the development of a joint curriculum, aimed at establishing equivalent and globally oriented postgraduate education standards. This collaboration also opens opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, enhancing the competencies of graduates to address international public health challenges. Research collaboration was another key focus, particularly on pressing issues such as climate change, waste management, and environmental sustainability. The partnership will enable the exchange of expertise and research resources, leading to more impactful and relevant scientific outcomes. Moreover, both institutions expressed interest in co-hosting guest lectures and international seminars, which will enrich the academic experiences of students and faculty members alike. A warm atmosphere filled the discussion at the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok. Representatives from FKM Unhas—Prof. Dr. Anwar Daud (Head of the Master’s Program in Environmental Health) and Prof. Anwar Mallongi (Vice Dean for Partnerships, Research, and Innovation)—joined Mahidol University officials, including Dr. Sarawut Thepanondh (Dean of the Faculty of Public Health), to explore potential doctoral and master’s level collaborations. Our mission: to achieve international standards in public health education and research. Toward Concrete Implementation According to Prof. Dr. Anwar Daud, the collaboration is not merely about expanding academic networks but also a concrete step toward achieving international standards in education and research. “This partnership is expected to broaden students’ perspectives and experiences within the global public health context,” he stated. The next step involves drafting a comprehensive MoA and outlining a joint work agenda to ensure effective implementation. This strategic collaboration is expected to enhance the academic capacities of both FKM Unhas and Mahidol University and contribute significantly to the development of human resources capable of addressing the complexities of global public and environmental health. This initiative serves as tangible proof that amid the ever-changing global landscape, international collaboration is essential for generating innovative and sustainable solutions. With the foundation now in place, the partnership between FKM Unhas and Mahidol University holds great promise for advancing public health knowledge and practice across the region.