On Friday, February 21, 2025, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at Universitas Indonesia (UI) welcomed a delegation from the Fukuoka Society of Friendship with Japan Alumni (FSFJA) at Building A, Health Sciences Cluster (RIK). This visit served as a networking event to strengthen ties between the delegation and alumni who studied in Japan and have since returned to their home country, Indonesia. Several academic members from FPH UI attended the event, including Prof. Indri Hapsari Susilowati, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., Ph.D., a Doctor of Human Science Design graduate from Kyushu University in 2012; Fitri Kurniasari, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., Ph.D., who completed her doctoral studies at the School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Japan; and Dr. Susiana Nugraha, S.K.M., M.N., a doctoral graduate from FPH UI who previously earned her master’s degree at a university in Japan.
The networking session was led by Prof. Indri and Mr. Yukiharu Inoue (Former Mayor of Miyako Town). “We are very grateful for the warm welcome from FPH UI. This visit is a valuable opportunity to strengthen our relationship with alumni who have returned to Indonesia,” said Mr. Yukiharu Inoue, Former Mayor of Miyako Town, Japan. Prof. Indri Hapsari Susilowati also expressed her appreciation for the visit. “This meeting is not only a networking event but also an opportunity to enhance future collaborations, particularly in research and knowledge development,” said Prof. Indri.
The Fukuoka Society of Friendship with Japan Alumni (FSFJA) aims to support international students studying in Fukuoka, build meaningful relationships with alumni, and maintain sustainable connections with those who have returned to their home countries. For over 20 years, FSFJA has successfully maintained strong and close relationships with these alumni.
Currently, thanks to a new policy from the Japanese Ministry of Education integrating all international students from various universities into a unified network, access to information has become significantly easier. This policy facilitates students in building connections, finding academic advisors, and discovering broader research opportunities. After graduating from universities in Japan, FSFJA hopes that alumni will continue the research they started during their studies. This initiative aims to ensure that knowledge development does not stop, allowing alumni to continue contributing both in Japan and in their home countries.
The contributions of FPH UI academics and alumni who studied in Japan reflect their strong dedication to advancing knowledge at both the national and global levels. Their study experiences in Japan not only enriched their academic perspectives but also drove tangible contributions to various research fields in Indonesia.
During her studies at Kyushu University, Prof. Indri Hapsari Susilowati focused her research on occupational health and safety (OHS), particularly on the health of industrial workers, including the elderly, young workers, and women. This research continues in Indonesia as part of her dedication as a faculty member at FPH UI. Additionally, Prof. Indri has expanded her research focus to explore the relationship between stunting and climate change, as well as the impact of working mothers on child health.
Meanwhile, during her doctoral studies at Nagoya University, Fitri Kurniasari, Ph.D., successfully published several research papers, one of which examined the potential application of a hydrotalcite-like compound (MF-HT) in reducing toxicity to aquatic organisms through the rapid and efficient removal of hydrogen sulfide gas. The study demonstrated that MF-HT has a high level of safety for aquatic life and can be reused after regeneration with a Na₂CO₃ solution. Due to its efficiency, speed, safety, and affordability, this material is considered to have great potential in addressing hydrogen sulfide pollution in water bodies. Dr. Fitri now continues her dedication to environmental health as a faculty member at FPH UI.
On the other hand, Dr. Susiana Nugraha is actively developing the Indonesia Elderly-Friendly Program (IRL) in West Java, which she founded in September 2019. This organization focuses on creating an elderly-friendly environment through sustainable programs and long-term care. Through its APIK mission (Awareness, Assistance, Innovation, and Partnership), IRL aims to improve the well-being of the elderly in Indonesia. Her commitment became even more evident with the inauguration of SELARAS Elderly School in Bandung in January 2025, serving as a platform for education and empowerment for the elderly.
These three figures demonstrate that international experience can serve as a strong foundation for making tangible contributions to advancing public health in Indonesia.
The event was attended by 10 delegates from Japan, including Mr. Yukiharu Inoue, Ms. Oe Hiromi (former Chairperson of the Fukuoka Friendly Club), Mr. Hiroshi Katano (Professor Emeritus at Kyushu University), Ms. Satoko Kawanami, Mr. Tadashi Kawabe (Chairman of FSFJA and Auditor at Kyushu Associate of Interpreters, Translators, and Guide-Interpreters), Mr. Kenji Kuwano (former Director of Kuwano Surgery Clinic), as well as several members of the Fukuoka Friendly Club, such as Ms. Yoko Hamasaki, Ms. Minako Hayashi, Ms. Chikako Mie (Director of Teman Hati Fukuoka-Indonesia), and Ms. Yae Yamasaki. (DFD)