Medan—USU School of Public Health — The Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FKM USU), is strengthening its international collaboration with the Centre for Studies and Curriculum (PPUK) at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) through an International Community Service and Academic Collaboration programme entitled “Enhancing Javanese Community Health in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia through Local Wisdom” on 13–15 October 2026.
The programme of events included a bilateral strategic meeting between FKM USU and UTHM, the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), an international public lecture, a postgraduate student colloquium serving as a forum for the exchange of knowledge and academic experience between the two institutions, and a culminating event comprising a knowledge transfer and community service programme for the Javanese community in Kampung Parit Jelutong, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. This programme also serves as an effort to strengthen the implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education, particularly in the fields of education, research and community service through cross-border partnerships.
The USU School of Public Health delegation was led by the Dean of the USU School of Public Health, Dr Umi Salmah, S.K.M., M.Kes., together with the Vice-Dean III for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Internationalisation, Dr Sri Malem Indirawati, S.K.M., M.Si., the Head of the USU School of Public Health Quality Assurance Unit, Dr Eka Lestari Mahyuni, SKM.M.Kes, and lecturer Risanti Febrine Ropita Situmorang, S.K.M., M.Sc.
This event also involved members of the Association of Indonesian Higher Education Institutions in Public Health (AIPTKMI), namely the North Sumatra Health Institute, Efarina University, and Dehasen University.
This program is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4 on Quality Education, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. Furthermore, this initiative supports the internationalisation of higher education through the strengthening of institutional networks, academic mobility, and the development of collaborative programmes that provide direct benefits to the community.