The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is partnering with the University of Sydney to strengthen veterinary epidemiology capacity across the Asia-Pacific region.
This collaboration, initiated in 2020, has included the development of an online epidemiology training platform for veterinarians in Asia-Pacific countries and the establishment of the Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE). The consortium comprises more than 40 veterinary epidemiology experts from Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and other countries in the region.
Among its members are two representatives from FKH UGM: Widagdo Sri Nugroho and Dr. Khrisdiana Putri.
Speaking to reporters on Monday (April 28), Nugroho stated that in its first phase, APCOVE successfully developed intermediate-level field epidemiology training modules for veterinarians at both national and regional levels. The program delivered online training to participants from various countries, including 30 from Indonesia.
From now until 2028, the consortium will continue to provide training for frontline and intermediate epidemiology personnel alongside One Health training programs and capacity-building for field epidemiology lecturers and mentors.
To mark the beginning of the second phase, FKH UGM and the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, held a Stakeholder Consultation Meeting with APCOVE from April 22 to 24, 2025.
The meeting aimed to assess the current needs of Indonesia’s veterinary workforce, identify priority areas for field epidemiology training, and discuss the integration of APCOVE modules into undergraduate and postgraduate veterinary curricula.
“The event also invited APCOVE alumni to share their experiences and contributions to animal disease detection and control,” said Nugroho.
Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni at FKH UGM, Professor Aris Haryanto, welcomed the cross-country and institutional synergy in building veterinary epidemiology capacity as an essential aspect of national and regional health resilience.
According to Professor Haryanto, the collaboration with APCOVE paves the way for extended cooperation, such as joint curriculum development, student exchange programs, and international guest lectures.
“We aim to continue advancing our reputation through international collaborations and improving graduate quality,” he explained.
The APCOVE meeting, held at the FKH UGM campus from April 22 to 24, was attended by epidemiologists from the University of Sydney, including Professor Navneet Dhand and Professor Jenny-Ann Toribio; UGM epidemiologist Dr. Dyah Ayu Widiasih; and APCOVE alumnus Rochmadiyanto from the Wates Veterinary Center (BBVet Wates).
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photograph: FKH UGM