Twenty-two institutions in East Java signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MAHSA University during the Aiptinakes International Conference of Health (26/8 & 27/8) held at Malang, Java Timor. Here's a glimpse of the group shot of the distinguished representatives from each institution including our Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dato Dr Ikram Shah, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof Dato Dr Rosli, and our Internationalisation Director, Prof Zahrah Saad. Congratulations on marking yet another amazing milestone with our neighbouring country for the collaboration in postgraduate studies and research.
In a recent announcement, we are truly happy to say that the PhD in Nursing offered by MAHSA University is a foreign degree that is officially recognised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of Indonesia.
The Association of Health Education Institutions in East Java (Aiptinakes Jatim) held an international health conference called the Aiptinakes International Conference of Health (AICH 2023).
Several expert speakers from the international health field were present. Among them were experts in nursing from Malaysia, experts in diabetes mellitus from India, and experts in health from an Islamic perspective from Saudi Arabia. The event was inaugurated by the Regent of Malang, Drs H Sanusi MM, accompanied by the Regional Higher Education Service Institution (LLDIKTI) of East Java, and the Chairman of STIKes Kepanjen, Tri Nurhudi Sasono Skep Ns MKep, on Sunday (August 27, 2023).
AICH 2023 is the first health conference held after the Covid-19 pandemic. This year's event focuses on the theme "Strengthening health educational institutions in the implementation of Merdeka Campuses to create a resilient society."
The conference aims to create opportunities for international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and international research collaboration, as well as implementing the Merdeka Campus concept introduced by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek).
Aries Wahyuningsih SKep MKes, the Chairperson of Aiptinakes Jatim, stated that AICH 2023 is a continuation of the international collaboration previously conducted with Mahsa University Malaysia. This collaboration includes sharing experiences and knowledge in health education, exchanging speakers for international webinars, collaborating on research and joint international research publication, and community service.
"Aiptinakes consists of nurses, midwives, analysts, pharmacists, and health administrators. This international collaboration can be applied to all universities, especially health education institutions or Aiptinakes members, to be implemented in the education world. The main goal is to advance health education institutions," said Wahyuningsih in a statement on Sunday (August 27, 2023).
In addition to international collaboration, Aiptinakes Jatim also encourages the 37 member institutions of health education in East Java to build strong competencies.
With the hope that when they enter the workforce, they will be prepared to work and provide health services to the community.
"Our hope with this international health conference is to build a broader network. They can exchange educators and students and gain international experience. Thus, they have their respective competencies and can empower human resources, and even graduates of health professionals can work abroad," she explained.
Similarly, Prof Dr Dyah Sawitri SE MM, the Chairperson of LLDIKTI Region VII East Java, appreciates the holding of this international health conference.
She stated that Aiptinakes Jatim has truly implemented the Three Pillars of Higher Education. Currently, international collaboration is a necessity in education, research, and community service, allowing educators' creativity to be developed through international conferences like this.
"This is a necessity now. In the past, international exposure was not as prominent. But now, every university must have international collaboration implemented through MoUs. This is our pride, and this health education institution is truly beneficial for the community, especially in East Java," said Prof Dyah.
Prof Dyah explained that the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiated by Kemendikbudristek can be carried out internally within the campus. This involves studying in different study programs for three semesters.
"However, collaboration abroad or outside the campus adds extraordinary value, as learning in a different country is different. Additionally, there are new strengths and opportunities to learn in the workforce, which is different. Thus, they can refine their skills to make changes related to concepts in the health field," she said.