The Faculty of Medicine at the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) visited two faculties at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM).
The two faculties visited were the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (FPSK USIM) and the Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (FP UKM) in Malaysia.
The visit was aimed at discussing cooperation in the health sector, specifically regarding epidemiology-based research in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 19–22, 2022.
The Dean of the UMI Faculty of Medicine, Dr. dr. H. Nasrudin AM, Sp.OG(K), MARS, M.Sc., stated that the visit was part of the implementation and follow-up of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UMI Makassar and USIM and UKM.
“We are visiting again to discuss the cooperation that has been established between UMI Makassar, USIM, and UKM,” he said.
According to Dr. Nasruddin, the UMI Faculty of Medicine is identifying opportunities for collaboration. During the meeting, several agenda items were discussed, including opportunities for collaboration in joint research and publications, particularly regarding flagship research projects from both the UMI Faculty of Medicine and the USIM Faculty of Public Health.
“In the future, we also plan to conduct research on Thibbun Nabawi and herbal medicine, particularly regarding Ajwa dates,” he said.
From the discussion, it turned out that both faculties have already conducted such research. Therefore, it is highly feasible to conduct joint research, including studies based on community medicine (epidemiology and other related fields).
Other topics of cooperation discussed included faculty exchanges and student exchanges. Currently, UMI’s Faculty of Medicine and USIM’s Faculty of Public Health are in the pre-clinical and clinical phases of their collaboration.
“Discussions regarding the joint research agenda—which, God willing, will be finalized soon and then signed by both parties—are underway. The plan is to hold the signing in January, most likely at UMI in Makassar,” he said.
In addition, a tour was conducted of the facilities supporting education, research, and other operations at the USIM Faculty of Public Health (FKSP). The atmosphere was warm and cordial between the leadership of the UMI Faculty of Medicine and the USIM Faculty of Public Health.
On a separate occasion, a visit was also made to the Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (FP UKM), held in the Faculty of Medicine Conference Room on the 2nd floor of the Tuanku Muhriz Chancellor Hospital.
The Assistant Dean of FP UKM, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maaya, stated that UMI and UKM would collaborate on research and publications in the future. Of particular interest is the development of staff and faculty members, both for master’s and PhD programs at FP UKM.
“As one of the oldest and best medical faculties in Malaysia, the UKM Faculty of Medicine is also ranked 129th among the world’s best medical faculties,” he said.
He added that this is certainly a very positive development for the UKM Faculty of Medicine and the UMI Faculty of Medicine, as it enables collaboration in institutional capacity building and human resource development at the UKM Faculty of Medicine.
Another agenda item discussed was the mechanism for student exchanges from the UKM Faculty of Medicine to the UMI Faculty of Medicine, and it is hoped that these discussions will be formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the UMI Faculty of Medicine and the UKM Faculty of Medicine, which, God willing, can also be signed in January 2023.
An interesting point in the discussion at UKM concerned the launch of a new study program. FK UMI will launch a Specialist Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Sp1 Obgin).
Thus, FK UMI can also learn from the UKM Faculty of Medicine, whose specialist programs have already developed with a curriculum system that draws heavily on the British curriculum.
From these two visits, there are many things that the UMI Faculty of Medicine can implement to further develop the faculty.
The visit was led by a team from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Muslim Indonesia, headed by Dean Dr. dr. H. Nasrudin AM, Sp.OG(K), MARS, M.Sc, along with Dr. Shulhana Mokhtar, M.Med.Ed (Vice Dean II), and Dr. Nesyana Nurmadilla, M.Gizi (Head of the Quality Assurance Unit at the UMI Faculty of Medicine).
Also present were Dr. dr. Hasta Handayani, M.Kes (Head of the Research, Publication, and Community Service Unit at the UMI Faculty of Medicine), and dr. Rasfayanah, M.Kes (Secretary of the Medical Education Unit).
Also present were Dr. Arni Isnaini Arfah, M.Kes (CSL Coordinator), and Dr. Zulfiyah Surda