Makassar (ANTARA) - To realize its vision of becoming a World Class University, the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), Makassar, Indonesia, has been collaborating with Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Netherlands, through a student exchange program since 2016. Under this program, FK-Unhas sends outbound students to Leiden for three months and receives inbound students from Leiden University. This initiative was formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2014, which was renewed in 2019 under the title of the Reciprocal Student Exchange Program.
For FK-UNHAS students going to Leiden, they participate in one of 16 topics within the Half Minor course, which runs for 10 weeks (equivalent to 10 European Credits or SKS). For Leiden students, those enrolled in the Half Minor on “Infection, Health, and Disease” spend 4 out of the 10 weeks studying at the Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia. Some Leiden students also participate in a similar program at the University of Indonesia.
This year marks the sixth year of the program, which is coordinated annually by Prof. Dr. Sitti Wahyuni, Ph.D., SpParK. During their four weeks at Hasanuddin University (October 1-31, 2024), students receive training and knowledge in the fields of infection and immunology through various stages of research, including sample/data collection, immunological sample analysis, data interpretation, journal reading, manuscript writing, and presentation of results.
The focus of the 2024 activities is investigating differences in microbial exposure, worm infections, and immune responses among elementary school students in urban and rural areas. Six medical students from Leiden University and eight fresh graduate doctors from Hasanuddin University are involved in this research internship. Supervisors come from both universities. Data collection and health education are directly coordinated by Dr. Sitti Wahyuni and Dr. Munawir, conducted in two schools in Malino, Gowa Regency, and two schools in Makassar City.
Sample collection and laboratory testing for worm egg identification are carried out at the Hasanuddin University Medical Research Center (HUMRC) with support from Dr. Rusdina Ladju and Dr. Aldian Irma from FK Unhas, as well as post-doctoral student from LUMC, Dr. Willianne Hope. Data analysis, journal investigations, manuscript writing, and presentation of results are conducted at the Department of Parasitology under the guidance of Prof. Hermelijn Smits, Dr. Sitti Wahyuni, and Dr. Firdaus Hamid. To provide an overview of infectious diseases in Indonesia, participants also visited Wahidin Hospital and Hasanuddin University Hospital.
The research internship, which involves students and faculty from Leiden University, is further leveraged by the Faculty of Medicine to organize guest lectures for the Undergraduate Medical Program, the Specialist Program in Internal Medicine, and the Master’s Program in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Parasitology. The guest speakers include Prof. Hermelijn Smits and Dr. Willianne Hope from LUMC.
Prof. Dr. Haerani Rasyid, M.Kes, Sp.PD-KGH, FINASIM, Sp.GK, (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine), who oversees this program, hopes it will continue to grow, involving not only undergraduate programs but also other study programs. The research internship is closely monitored and supported by the Vice Dean for Community Service, International Affairs, and Publication, Prof. Dr. Rina Masadah, SpPA(K), M.Phil, DFM. This program enriches the academic, research, community service, and cultural experiences for students and faculty from both institutions, while also providing valuable insights for school students, teachers, and communities where the research and community service are conducted.
