UNAIR NEWS – As one of the leading universities in Indonesia, Universitas Airlangga continues to strive for the development of science at national and international level. One of its efforts was realized by Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Airlangga by holding QS Subject Focus Summit (on Health and Medicine) on Wednesday-Friday, Jan. 23-25, 2019 in Surabaya.
Focusing on “Advancing the Medical and Health Sciences: Education, Research and Collaboration”, the conference was opened by UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, SE., MT., Ak., CMA., with Ms. Mandy Mok, Chief Executive Officer of QS Branding & Conferences from QS Asia Singapore, on Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, 2019) at Bumi Surabaya Hotel. Attending the conference were a number of practitioners from various countries such as from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Australia and the Philippines.
In its implementation, UNAIR collaborated with Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, the publisher of QS World University Rankings especially QS Asia.
The summit was held as a forum to discuss the latest issues in the fields of health and medicine for the advancement of science. It also introduces UNAIR as an international university, which is famous for its medical education or research and a member of QS World Class University. It is an effort to share and expand the network and medical education system.
The CEO of QS Asia, Mandy Mok, in her remarks thanked UNAIR for organizing the summit. According to her, Indonesia is one of the countries with large population. The problem of population is potential research topic, especially related to health.
The summit, she continued, was also aimed to discuss health topics and improve global health science especially through the active contribution of the participants. This QS Subject Focus Summit Medicine will accommodate topics relevant to academic leaders and professionals in medicine and health science.
“Welcome. We are in the city of Surabaya. The second largest city in Indonesia. The name Surabaya comes from two words, Sura and Baya which means sharks and crocodiles. Thank you for participating, “Mandy said.
According to Mandy Mok, the summit was based on the rapid development of medical knowledge, techniques and technology. Advanced medical education is needed by many authorities.
Therefore, medical practitioners are encouraged to improve their knowledge in various ways including through medical journals, seminars, conferences and online programs . It is also necessary for leaders in medical education to keep up with the latest interdisciplinary and global developments.
“Specifically, the committee wants to focus on management education, research and collaboration challenges in the rapid technological, social and economic change,” she said.
Regarding participation, the summit was for deans, doctors and stakeholders in medical education from Indonesia and other countries around the world. A total of 200 participants attended the summit.
“It is also intended for medical students from all over Indonesia and international institutions,” she said.
Being held for three days, the summit is also expected to be able to promote the development of medical and health sciences, to provide experiences outside the academic world, and to be a forum for scientists, professionals, students and stakeholders to share achievements and discuss research issues.
There are three sessions of discussion which will be held for three days. Two sessions were themed “The Impact of Information Technology in Medicine Education” and “Beyond Translational Method in Medicine and Health Science” on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. Then, a session is themed “Collaboration in Supporting Medicine and Health Science” on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019.
In response to the statements, Dean of UNAIR Faculty of Medicine Prof., Dr., Soetojo, dr. Sp.U. welcomed the summit participants. Prof. Soetojo presented the history of UNAIR Faculty of Medicine, which was originated from Dutch medical school, NIAS.
“Before turning into UNAIR Faculty of Medicine, it was formerly called NIAS, Nederlandsch Indische Artsen School . Now FK continues to grow and is also affiliated with several hospitals such as Dr. Soetomo Hospital, “he said.
Meanwhile, UNAIR Rector Prof. Nasih in his remarks said that UNAIR is committed to be the center of health research development. It has research development centers in the field of health. Some of them are Universitas Airlangga Teaching Hospital, Dental and Oral Hospital, and Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital Universitas Airlangga. UNAIR also has a tropical disease research center, Institute of Tropical Disease (ITD).
Prof. Nasih also reminded about the challenges on technological developments such as the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Such challenges, he continued, must be responded well, especially those related to health, by sharing and discussion. For example through the summit.
“The challenges, for example the issue of artificial intelligence as well as the development of nanotechnology. It includes big data , new material , 3d printing , and internet of things,” he said.
“We must prepare for the era of technological disruption. We must be ready with solutions that combine physical domains, digital , and biology, ” Prof. Nasih said.
In the end, Prof. Nasih hoped that the summit could bring new ideas for the advancement of health and medicine, to bring a positive impact either for science in Indonesia, as well as scientific development in international scene. (*)
Author: Feri Fenoria
