Depok, 10 November 2025 — In an effort to strengthen academic networks and expand international collaboration in the field of public health, the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia (FPH UI), welcomed a visit from the International Medical University (IMU) Malaysia on Monday (10/11) in Meeting Room B206A. This meeting marked the initial step in exploring potential cooperation in education, research, and community engagement between the two institutions, particularly in the development of nutrition and public health programs.
The visit was represented by Prof. Geeta Appannah from IMU Malaysia and was welcomed directly by the Dean of FPH UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri K. Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc. Also in attendance were the Head of the Department of Nutrition, dr. Fathimah S. Sigit, M.Res., Ph.D.; Professor of Nutrition, Prof. Ahmad Syafiq, Ph.D.; Professor of Health Education and Behavioral Science (PKIP), Prof. Hadi Pratomo; as well as representatives from the Research and Community Engagement Subunit and the Cooperation, Alumni Relations, and Venture Subunit of FPH UI.
In her remarks, Prof. Mondastri conveyed that this meeting serves as an important momentum to deepen the partnership between FPH UI and IMU Malaysia. “Today’s meeting is a valuable opportunity to explore broader collaboration potential in education, research, and community engagement. This collaboration also aligns with FPH UI’s strategic direction in developing the Professional Nutritionist Program, as mandated by the Health Law Number 17 of 2023,” she stated.
This meeting also followed up on the visit of six staff members from the Department of Nutrition, FPH UI, to IMU Malaysia in early November 2025. Through this forum, both institutions discussed various forms of potential collaboration, including reciprocal guest lectures, student and academic staff exchanges, collaborative research, and the possibility of appointing Prof. Geeta Appannah as an Adjunct Professor at FPH UI.
During the discussion session moderated by Prof. Ahmad Syafiq, participants emphasized the importance of identifying low-hanging fruit collaboration opportunities that could be implemented in the near term. Several ideas emerged, such as semester exchange programs, joint courses, and community-based field visits similar to the Public Health Study Tour organized by FPH UI with ACICIS.
“In addition to strengthening academic components, we also need to emphasize community-based activities such as visits to Puskesmas and Posyandu, as well as training for community health workers who are the backbone of public health services in Indonesia,” said Prof. Syafiq.
Prof. Geeta Appannah welcomed the collaboration plans and affirmed IMU’s readiness to expand cooperation under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IMU and UI. “We see great potential for collaboration in research and education. Through this partnership, we can jointly contribute to improving public health through better nutrition and education,” she expressed.
The discussion also opened opportunities for the formation of a regional consortium involving other partner universities in Southeast Asia, such as Mahidol University (Thailand) and SEAMEO. This consortium is expected to become a collaborative platform to strengthen research capacity, academic mobility, and cross-country community engagement initiatives.
Concluding the meeting, participants agreed to develop a follow-up plan and a concrete implementation timeline for collaboration in the first quarter of 2026. “We are committed to realizing collaborations that create meaningful impact not only for both universities but also for the development of public health sciences at the regional and global levels,” Prof. Mondastri concluded. (wrk)