On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a closing ceremony for the program “Transformative Education for Advancing Competencies in Planetary Health” (TEACH), part of its international collaboration with Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland. The event, held at FPH UI’s Doctoral Promotion Room, marked the conclusion of a week-long exchange of knowledge and cross-cultural experiences (April 20–28, 2025).
The TEACH program was designed to respond to the urgent global challenges of today, such as pandemics, climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder of the profound link between human health and planetary health. With this understanding, TEACH developed a Planetary Health Education Framework that will be integrated into the master’s curriculum at both FPH UI and Turku University of Applied Sciences.
The program’s main mission is to incorporate planetary health aspects into graduate education at FPH UI and the Faculty of Health and Well-being at Turku University of Applied Sciences. Through this transformative education, master’s graduates are expected to be more broadly competent and adaptable in addressing future global health challenges.
In her remarks, Dean of FPH UI, Prof. Dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., expressed her appreciation for the collaboration and the significant value of the program. “We are very proud to be part of this initiative. TEACH is not just an academic program—it is a platform for collaboration that strengthens our shared commitment to the future of planetary health. I hope this partnership will continue and create broader impact for both institutions and the global community,” she said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Katja Heikkinen, representing Turku University of Applied Sciences, shared her heartfelt impressions of the collaboration and her gratitude for the warm welcome received from FPH UI.
The closing event was enlivened by cultural performances from both countries. A traditional Balinese dance represented the richness of Indonesian culture, while Finland’s traditional dance, Jätkän Letka, was performed to showcase Northern European cultural flavor. Adding to the celebration, all participants and committee members wore traditional Indonesian attire, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the spirit of diversity and inclusivity.
Through this event, FPH UI reaffirmed its commitment to advancing global education that is collaborative, inclusive, and focused on sustainability and human well-being.
(wrk)