Depok, 14 November 2025 — The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) opened new opportunities for international collaboration through an exploratory meeting with Handan University, China, held in a hybrid format at the Epidemiology Meeting Room, Building A, FPH UI. This meeting marks a strategic step for FPH UI in expanding global partnerships, particularly in initiatives that support culturally based health promotion and physical activity.
From Handan University, the meeting was attended by Guo Pengfei, Director of the International Cultural Exchange Center; Li Lei, Deputy Director of the International Cultural Exchange Center; Zhang Zhenqiang, Deputy Head of the Academic Education Department; Lu Jianhui, Secretary of the Tai Chi Culture Faculty Committee; Xu Weilong, Dean of the Tai Chi Culture Faculty; Han Jiajia, Vice Dean of the Tai Chi Culture Faculty; and Wen Shengguo, Head of the Tai Chi Department. Also present was TurunTangan, an organization facilitating the exploratory process in line with its mandate to connect Indonesian educational institutions with overseas partners, including Handan University. From FPH UI, the meeting was attended by the Dean of FPH UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri K. Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc.; Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs, Dr. Ir. Asih Setiarini, M.Sc.; and Education Manager, Dr. Laila Fitria, S.K.M., M.K.M.
Handan University is a public institution with strong expertise in traditional disciplines and sports, particularly Tai Chi. In its institutional presentation, Handan University highlighted the relevance of Tai Chi to public health, particularly in the prevention of chronic diseases, mental health improvement, fall prevention among the elderly, and as an affordable and accessible health intervention. During the meeting, Handan University proposed several potential collaboration formats, including sending lecturers as visiting professors, faculty and student exchanges, implementation of short courses or summer camps, and the possibility of offering elective courses on Tai Chi.
Responding to these proposals, FPH UI Dean Prof. Mondastri emphasized that collaborative opportunities would be more feasible through research activities, non-curricular programs, and student development initiatives, given the rigorous internal process required for integrating new courses into the curriculum. She added that FPH UI has established collaborations with various international partners in student development programs, making joint activities such as training, seminars, or academic exchanges highly viable. Prof. Mondastri also noted that several faculties at UI already have wellbeing centers for student health, which could serve as a point of alignment for developing physical-activity-based programs such as Tai Chi.
Handan University also expressed interest in other potential joint activities, including Tai Chi competitions and cross-disciplinary collaborative studies relevant to public health. Concluding the meeting, both parties agreed that the next step would involve drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and an Agreement of Implementation (AOI) following further technical discussions to ensure alignment in objectives and collaboration mechanisms.
Through this meeting, FPH UI reaffirmed its commitment as an adaptive, collaborative institution that is open to global innovations, while strengthening its position in culturally based health promotion—a strategic approach aligned with public health sustainability at both national and international levels. (wrk)