Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in an evaluation by the ASEAN University Network-Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) on Friday, Mar. 14, 2025, as part of its efforts to enhance its health facilities and services as a Health Promoting University (HPU).
Through this initiative, UGM aims to ensure health services for its community and promote health, safety, and inclusivity within the educational environment.
UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia stated that UGM has been committed to becoming a Health-Promoting University since 2019, starting with a seminar involving several universities in Yogyakarta to pioneer Health-Promoting Campuses.
“We collaborated with the Indonesian Ministry of Health and mentored 23 national universities. We continue to improve our efforts with the creation of an integrated bureau, UGM One Health,” Rector Emilia said.
The implementation of campus health policies extends to the faculty and school levels.
UGM One Health oversees two groups of health services based on their types.
First, health cluster services include the UGM Academic Hospital (RSA UGM), Gadjah Mada Medical Center (GMC UGM), Soeparwi Animal Hospital (RSH UGM), Korpagama Clinic, and Professor Soedomo Dental Hospital (RSGM UGM).
The second is well-being centers, such as the Disability Services Unit (ULD UGM), Mental Health Task Force, Safety Health Environment (SHE), and the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (Satgas PPKS UGM).
UGM has progressively developed agendas and campaigns around health, safety, and well-being issues.
For instance, in 2020, UGM actively promoted the prevention and handling of sexual violence by strengthening policies and establishing a special unit to address sexual violence on campus.
These initiatives are continuously developed and evaluated to ensure that the Health Promoting University meets the needs of the academic community.
“Last year, we focused on mental health and sexual violence issues. Many initiatives have been implemented, including the Mental Health Emergency Line (MHERL),” she added.
The MHERL service is a repressive effort by the university to handle mental health cases.
Meanwhile, as a preventive measure, UGM regularly conducts health screenings for students and takes follow-up actions when risks are identified.
As a Health-Promoting University, UGM promotes physical and mental health and focuses on well-being and safety.
UGM is the only campus with five spiritual facilities, reflecting its commitment to accommodating the spiritual needs of its community.
Additionally, UGM continues to prioritize traffic safety around the campus through various programs, such as a driving safety campaign, the construction of a Pelican Crossing, and partnerships with external entities to enhance campus safety.
AUN-HPN delegate Professor Chartchalem Isarankura-Na-Ayudhya from Mahidol University, Thailand, praised UGM’s efforts to become a Health-Promoting University.
“We have seen significant progress at UGM and are very proud of it. I believe UGM is one of the universities that has successfully enhanced its quality as a Health Promoting University,” he said.
According to him, UGM has made commendable efforts in both its health facilities and service agendas.
However, these achievements will continue to be evaluated to further strengthen UGM’s commitment to promoting health, safety, and well-being within the university environment.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang
Photographer: Firsto