Five student teams from the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) achieved remarkable success in various categories at the 3rd Indonesian Public Health Olympiad (IPHO) 2024. IPHO is a prestigious competition organized by the Indonesian Association of Public Health Higher Education Institutions (AIPTKMI). FPH UI students won in several categories, including 1st and 2nd place in the Public Health Quiz category, 1st place in the Information System Design category, 3rd place in the Public Health Debate category, and 1st place in the Health Policy Analysis category, showcasing their expertise in formulating practical and strategic health policies. The IPHO 2024 finals took place on November 7, 2024, at the FPH of Universitas Mulawarman in Samarinda.
This year’s IPHO carried the theme “Public Health Professional Education for a Golden Indonesia,” aimed at motivating public health students across Indonesia to strive for excellence and contribute meaningfully to the nation. The achievements of FPH UI students are the result of thorough preparation and guidance from FPH UI lecturers, who consistently support student teams in developing both academic potential and practical skills. One of the FPH UI teams, consisting of Faris Muhammad, Luthfia Dara Janitra, and Rizani Alia Davina, won 1st place in the Public Health Quiz category under the guidance of Dr. Puput Oktamianti, S.K.M., M.M. The three are 2022 batch students in the Public Health program, specializing in Health Administration and Policy.
According to Faris, IPHO is a valuable opportunity to broaden knowledge and serves as a platform for public health students to challenge themselves, learn, and refine their skills. “I’ve known about IPHO since my first year of university, and this is an opportunity for us, especially me, to grow further,” he said. This competition in the quiz category was the first time Faris and his teammates participated, so they meticulously prepared throughout the competition. “As a start, we selected our lecturer mentor and consulted on the quiz material. After that, we studied the competition guidelines and delved into topics focused on public health,” Faris explained. During the competition, they also understood each team member’s strengths. “Some of us are quick with logical thinking, attention to detail, and sharp analysis. This way, each member took on specific responsibilities related to the required material,” said Luthfia.
In addition to clear role assignments, Davina emphasized the importance of understanding each team member’s situation, particularly when adjusting preparations with other commitments. “The preparation was intense, but the main motivation came from our internal strength. We knew our strengths were in specific areas, so focusing on task division was crucial,” Davina explained. For the three of them, maintaining team spirit was also critical. “Effective communication helped a lot, so when we were on stage or in the final round, we could perform our best. We always believed that our team could win,” said Faris.
Balancing academic duties and competition preparation was a challenge for the FPH UI team in facing IPHO 2024. Faris explained that their commitment to joining the competition from the start became the foundation for time allocation. “We tried to use our time as efficiently as possible, often during breaks or in between classes, to prepare for the quiz,” Faris said. Another advantage for them was their shared focus, often taking the same classes, so each team member understood each other’s schedules and workloads. Knowing the dynamics of their classes allowed them to divide tasks effectively and balance academic responsibilities with competition commitments.
Their victory at IPHO 2024 boosted Faris’ enthusiasm to further hone his skills in academic competitions. The achievements of the team not only brought pride to the University of Indonesia but also served as an inspiration for other students to strive for the best. Faris emphasized the importance of having the courage to try. “If you have the desire, don’t be afraid to try. If there’s an opportunity, take it. It’s better to regret losing than to regret not trying at all,” he said. Luthfia added that experiences like these train collaboration and critical thinking, making them valuable for learning and growth. According to Davina, this competition also served as an opportunity to review material from the early semesters, not only for the competition preparation but also to strengthen their existing knowledge.
Their victory demonstrates that collaboration, hard work, and the courage to try are the keys to success in achieving goals. With a strong determination to continue developing, they have proven that FPH UI students are capable of competing at the national level. This achievement marks the beginning of further accomplishments and encourages more young generations to excel, innovate, and contribute to public health and the advancement of the nation.
The Acting Dean of FPH UI, Dr. Ir. Asih Setiarini, M.Sc., expressed appreciation and pride for the achievements of UI students at this event. “We are very proud of the extraordinary achievements made by our five student teams at the 3rd Indonesian Public Health Olympiad (IPHO) 2024. This success not only reflects the quality of education provided at FPH UI but also shows the high commitment and dedication of our students in applying public health knowledge across various competition categories. The multiple awards won demonstrate that we continue to develop young talent who are ready to contribute to public health at both the national and international levels. We hope this achievement will motivate all students to continue innovating and striving for even greater success in the future,” said Dr. Asih Setiarini. (DFD)