The UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), in collaboration with the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM) and the Faculty of Pharmacy (Pharmacy UGM), held the International Summer Course on Interprofessional Healthcare under the theme “Promoting Resilient Workplaces and Sustainable Environments for Global Health Equity.”
Attended by dozens of international students from Vrije Universiteit Medical Center (VUmc) and University Medical Center Groningen (Netherlands), Mahidol University (Thailand), Universitas Pattimura, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia, as well as several students from Pakistan, Myanmar, and UGM, the participants visited Batik Village Giriloyo in Wukirsari to learn about the implementation of occupational safety and health principles and innovations in sustainable work practices.
The students took part in a hands-on batik-making session in groups. Johan, a student from the Netherlands, shared that working outdoors on batik-making was an enjoyable experience, though he noted the importance of protective equipment to avoid heat exposure from the melted wax used in the process.
“I think it would be better to use personal protective equipment such as gloves to prevent burns while making batik,” he said on Sunday (Nov. 2).
Another Dutch student, Michelle, found batik-making both fascinating and challenging, as artisans must sit for long periods while dealing with various levels of difficulty. She also offered suggestions to maintain body comfort and health during the process.
“They could work more efficiently by doing small exercises between sessions, avoiding sitting too long, stretching occasionally, and ensuring proper back posture,” she said.
The Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of FK-KMK UGM, Dr. Ahmad Hamim Sadewa, discussed the ongoing collaboration within the summer course program.
“This year marks the 10th year of our collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. There are many similarities in our health perspectives, but also many specific areas to explore. This year’s focus relates to several issues, particularly global health equity,” he said on Sunday (Nov. 2).
The Head of Internationalization at FK-KMK UGM, Dr. Dwi Aris Agung Nugrahaningsih, explained that this year’s theme brought a slightly different perspective from previous years.
“The theme is indeed different this time. It examines the various aspects of work, including potential risks and the mitigation plans that can be implemented to address them. The goal is to provide valuable insights, as prevention is just as important as treatment,” Dr. Nugrahaningsih said.
Dr. Abdul Wahab, Field Activity Coordinator of the Summer Course, elaborated that the visit to Batik Village Giriloyo allowed students to observe various work processes in the batik industry as part of a broader program that also included visits to community health centers and local cultural activities.
“The students observed how safety measures are implemented in companies or industries to prevent work-related illnesses and injuries,” he explained.
The visit also featured a presentation by Tiyastiti Suraya, one of the village managers, who introduced participants to the history of batik, particularly the story of Giriloyo Batik Village in Wukirsari, which was named one of the world’s best tourism villages in 2024. She also explained the steps and tools required to create a piece of batik.
Author: Alena Damaris
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya