KUALA LUMPUR – The Master’s Program in Health Policy and Administration (AKK), Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University (FKM Unhas), continues to demonstrate its commitment to producing internationally competitive graduates. This was evidenced by a strategic academic visit to the Social Security Organization (PERKESO) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in late March 2026.
This international benchmarking activity is part of FKM Unhas’s ongoing efforts to broaden students’ horizons in understanding effective social security governance within the Southeast Asian region.
International Benchmarking: A Strategic Move for FKM Unhas
The delegation consisted of 19 postgraduate students accompanied by three senior academics from FKM Unhas: Prof. Dr. Amran Razak, M.Sc., Dr. Yusran Amir, SKM., M.PH., and Ryryn Suryaman Prana Putra, SKM., M.Kes. The choice of PERKESO Malaysia as a benchmarking partner was highly intentional. Established in 1969, PERKESO has a long-standing track record in managing inclusive employment social security.
Dr. Yusran Amir, in his opening remarks, emphasized that many of the AKK Master’s students are currently practitioners in Indonesia, including professionals working with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Indonesia’s Social Security Agency for Employment).
“This interaction is more than just a regular academic visit; it is a forum for expertise exchange. With our students’ diverse professional backgrounds, we hope for a productive two-way dialogue between academic theory and field practice from both countries,” said Dr. Amir.
Diving Deep into Malaysia’s Social Protection Ecosystem
During the visit, the Unhas delegation was received by top officials and experts from PERKESO. The first session was led by Nur Auni Izzati, Head of Unit Policy and International Affairs at PERKESO. She outlined the history and transformation of PERKESO in providing protection against industrial accidents, occupational diseases, and other social benefit schemes that adapt to modern needs.
Furthermore, technical aspects regarding compliance and membership were discussed in depth by Ahmad Haswadi Bin Hasyim from the Division of Contribution, Collection, and Enforcement. This session was crucial for AKK students to understand how a nation ensures all workers are protected through robust monitoring and legal enforcement systems.
Equally important, Zaililah Binti Abd Kassim from the Benefit Division shared perspectives on responsive claim mechanisms. She asserted that the key to successful social security is transparency and ease of access for participants during their time of need.
Comparative Analysis: PERKESO and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan
The visit provided a platform for students to conduct a comparative analysis between the systems in Malaysia and Indonesia. While both share the goal of protecting worker welfare, differences in administrative governance and participant outreach strategies offer fascinating case studies for classroom discussions at Unhas.
This field experience is expected to sharpen students’ analytical skills in identifying “best practices” relevant to the Indonesian context, ultimately strengthening the role of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and the national health system as a whole.
Contribution to SDGs and Global Development
This international academic activity not only impacts individual students but also aligns with the global agenda outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Specifically, this program supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by strengthening health policy and social security systems that ensure service access for all. Additionally, it relates closely to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By studying how PERKESO protects workers from economic risks due to workplace injuries, Unhas students are encouraged to design policy solutions that create a safe and prosperous working environment.
The integration of higher education and social protection is a vital foundation for sustainable development. Through this visit, FKM Unhas actively participates in preparing future policymakers who understand the importance of social inclusivity to achieve global targets by 2030.
Supporting University Key Performance Indicators (IKU)
For the institution, this benchmarking program is a tangible implementation of Hasanuddin University’s Key Performance Indicators (IKU). Specifically, IKU 2 (students gaining experience off-campus) and IKU 6 (study programs collaborating with world-class partners).
This step also reinforces FKM Unhas’s position as one of the top public health faculties in Indonesia with a strong international network. Such cross-border collaborations pave the way for future research focusing on social security issues across the ASEAN region.
Future Outlook for AKK Alumni
As the visit concluded, students were expected to bring home innovative new perspectives. Knowledge of how Malaysia manages social funds and provides compensation to workers can serve as a reference for master’s theses or policy projects in their respective workplaces.
“We want our students to be agents of change. After seeing firsthand how PERKESO operates, they must be able to bring critical thinking to improve the systems in our home country,” concluded Prof. Amran Razak.
The visit ended with a commitment to maintain ongoing communication between FKM Unhas and PERKESO, opening doors for further collaborative programs beneficial to the development of public health policy in Indonesia.