Two Fikes UIN Jakarta students sent to Japan to study disaster management

Rectorate Building, UIN News Online- Two students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (Fikes) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Kamalia Nur Aghnia and Alfiah Roua Al Multazam, had the opportunity to learn more about disaster management in Japan. Both were sent by Fikes UIN Jakarta to study directly at Tohoku University, Japan, through the International Student Mobility Program.

Kamalia, a student of Public Health Study Program, studied Disaster Public Health under Professor Kuriyama, while Alfiah studied International Cooperation for Disaster Medicine under Professor Shinichi Egawa M.D., Ph.D., FACS. Their learning process lasted for two weeks, from mid to late May 2024.

In their activities, the two students began with an introduction to their respective learning environments from the International Exchange Office, School of Medicine Seiryo Campus, Tohoku University. Through this activity, both received knowledge about the learning environment at the destination university.

In addition, the assigned students made presentations about the profile of the Faculty of Health Sciences and UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta at Aobayama Campus. Their presentations allowed Japanese teachers and students who became their learning partners to recognize more about Fikes and UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

Various activities also filled the activities of the two students during the International Student Mobility Program. Among them are lectures, focus group discussions, field trips, and presentations.  Some of the lecture topics include World life expectation and public health, Japan disaster management by Prof. Hiroyuki, MD, Ph.D and Park Hyejeong, Ph.D., RN and global human security by Prof. Nakamura.

While at Tohoku University, students also visited the library to get various references used to complete assignments, learn about Disaster Risk Management by Developing Evacuation Centers and Using Road Map for Civiliant. Apart from Indonesia, student mobility participants also came from Egypt, Mexico, France, and Japan.

Regarding disaster management, the two students studied various aspects of disaster, including environmental cleanliness and toilets during disasters. This topic is very important for the prevention of infectious diseases during disasters.  The students also conducted focus groups with Red Cross hospitals.

In addition to lectures, the two students visited the Eartquake Disaster Counter Measure Expo, International Cooperation Disaster Medicine, Natori Shinsai (Earthquake Disaster) Memorial Park and also Natory City Eartquake Reconstruction Tradition Center. This student mobility activity ended with a farewell party with the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Tohoku University, Naoto Ishii, M.D., Ph.D.

Separately, the Dean of Fikes Prof. Dr., apt. Zilhadia, M.Si. appreciated the two female students participating in the International Student Mobility Program to Japan. Moreover, the two students studied on the specific topic of disaster management in a country known to have good disaster management.

“Their learning experience about disasters also enriches the insights of our students to be more aware of disaster studies,” she said.

Professor Zilhadia said that university and faculty leaders strongly support the international student mobility program. This program is in line with Fikes' efforts to improve students' international insights, support the achievement of campus internationalization, and support both national and international accreditation currently being prepared by Fikes.

In line with Professor Zilhadia's appreciation, the person in charge of the Student Mobility Program as well as a lecturer at Fikes UIN Jakarta, Fajar Ariyanti Ph.D, said the two topics studied by the students were very relevant to Indonesia's current needs. “Indonesia is one of the countries that often experience natural disasters, so health workers must have sufficient provisions in disaster management,” she said.

Tohoku University itself, he continued, is known as one of the best universities in Japan. The campus located in Sendai is known to have experience in learning disaster management.

Finally, Kamalia Nur Aghnia and Alfiah Roua Al Multazam revealed that their opportunity to study through the International Student Mobility Program to Tohoku University provided a very valuable experience. Even the topic of disaster which is the focus of learning is considered by both of them to increase their global perspective, especially on disaster.

“We express our gratitude to the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah for the good opportunity that has been given and hope that this International Student Mobility activity will continue to be held in the coming years,” added Kamalia. (Contributor/Editor Fauziah Muslimah)