The Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University (FKM Unhas), has once again demonstrated its commitment to community-based learning by deploying 260 students to participate in Practical Learning Field (PBL) II activities in Soppeng Regency. The program is scheduled to run for 14 days, from January 5 to January 19, 2026, and is implemented across several villages and urban communities.
The PBL II program adopts an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, encouraging students not only to identify public health problems but also to explore and utilize local community assets and potentials. This approach is expected to produce health solutions that are contextual, sustainable, and actively involve community participation.
Throughout the program, students will conduct field observations, collect data, engage in discussions with community members, and collaborate with village governments, primary healthcare centers, and other local stakeholders. Key focus areas include environmental health, clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS), nutrition, maternal and child health, and social determinants of health.
FKM Unhas emphasizes that PBL II is not merely an academic requirement, but also a learning platform to strengthen students’ competencies as future public health professionals. Through direct community engagement, students are trained to think critically, work collaboratively, and develop practical recommendations that align with local needs.
The Government of Soppeng Regency has expressed its appreciation for the implementation of the PBL II program and hopes that the collaboration between higher education institutions and local governments will continue to support improvements in community health status. Through this initiative, FKM Unhas reinforces its role in bridging academic knowledge with real-world public health challenges, in line with the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.