Chiang Rai, Thailand – The Faculty of Public Health (FKM) at Hasanuddin University (Unhas) once again demonstrated its growing presence in the international academic arena. A total of 23 lecturers from FKM Unhas played a prominent and active role in the prestigious 56th Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) Conference 2025, held at Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, from November 4–7, 2025.
APACPH is one of the most influential platforms for academics, researchers, and public health practitioners across Asia and the Pacific. This year’s theme, “Public Health Transformation: Resilience, Innovation, and Equity,” challenged the public health community to adapt, innovate, and ensure equitable access to health services in an increasingly complex global landscape. The large delegation from FKM Unhas underscores the faculty’s strong commitment to advancing transformative public health research.
Strategic Dissemination of Scientific Work: Addressing Critical Health Issues
The FKM Unhas delegation contributed not only as participants but also as presenters in both oral and poster sessions. Their presentations highlighted the depth and breadth of research carried out within the faculty, covering almost the entire spectrum of public health issues with a focus on key challenges faced by Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region. Topics presented included:
- Environmental Health & Climate Change: Studies on climate adaptation and its health impacts on coastal and urban populations.
- Occupational Safety & Health: Research on workplace safety among fishermen and informal workers, emphasizing protection for vulnerable groups.
- Epidemiology & Disaster Management: Analyses of communicable and non-communicable disease patterns, as well as community resilience during disasters.
- Health Policy & Systems: Evaluations of national health policies and sustainable health financing models.
Several studies were developed through national and international collaborations reinforcing the idea that solving global health challenges requires collective and interdisciplinary efforts.
Strengthening Global Competitiveness and Supporting Unhas’ Key Performance Indicators
Dean of FKM Unhas, Prof. Sukri Palutturi, SKM., M.Sc.PH., Ph.D., emphasized that this extensive participation is part of the faculty’s strategic agenda. According to him, attending APACPH 2025 serves dual purposes: enhancing global competitiveness and expanding international academic networks.
“Active participation in APACPH is a concrete manifestation of our commitment to achieving the University’s Key Performance Indicators (IKU), particularly in internationalization, global academic reputation, and cross-country research collaboration,” he stated.
Institutional support from Unhas—through academic facilitation, administrative assistance, and funding—played a vital role in ensuring lecturers could present their work effectively and elevate Unhas’ global standing. FKM Unhas’ presence in international forums is an important step toward strengthening the institution’s reputation as a world-class university.
Building International Research Collaboration
Beyond presentations, FKM Unhas lecturers also engaged in strategic discussions with prominent APACPH member universities. Notable meetings included representatives from:
- Mahidol University (Thailand)
- Yonsei University (South Korea)
- University of the Philippines
These discussions explored concrete plans for:
- Joint Publications in high-impact international journals
- Student Exchange Programs to expand global learning opportunities
- Collaborative Research Projects, especially on shared public health and environmental issues across the Asia-Pacific region
Such initiatives reinforce FKM Unhas’ position as a leading public health institution in Indonesia with a strong commitment to shaping global health research and policy.
FKM Unhas’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
FKM Unhas’ involvement in APACPH 2025 significantly supports several Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Through research dissemination that contributes to stronger health systems, disease prevention, and health promotion.
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: International conference participation enhances lecturer capacity, which is then integrated into curriculum and teaching quality.
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: APACPH serves as a hub for strengthening global partnerships through collaborative research and academic exchanges.
This participation reflects the faculty’s commitment to contributing not only to national development but also to global health equity and sustainability.
Toward Transforming Public Health in the Asia-Pacific Region
The success of the FKM Unhas delegation at APACPH 2025 marks a significant milestone. It represents not just the number of participating lecturers but also the quality of their research contributions and global collaborations. FKM Unhas aims to continue positioning itself as a center of excellence in public health, driven by the spirit of resilience, innovation, and equity.
By translating research findings into effective public health policies and collaborating across borders, FKM Unhas is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of communities in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region. This active global engagement is a long-term investment in Unhas’ vision to become a world-class university with meaningful international impact.