Two students, Filzah Azalia and Amirah Rizkyanti Syamsul, from the Faculty of Dentistry of Universitas Hasanuddin, had a chance to participate in the Program of Okayama University Dental School Short Term Study Abroad for Undergraduate Students known as Odapus Program.
The program started on 13 January 2020 and will be ended on 2 February 2020. This is an annual program that is established by the Faculty of Dentistry of Unhas. Unhas annually dispatches their lecturers and students as a part of the exchange program with Okayama University, Japan.
Like the previous year, this time FKG Unhas also sent young lecturers to participate in the Sakura Program, which is part of Odapus. The three lecturers sent were drg. Acing Habibie Mude, PhD., Drg. Zilal Islamy Paramma, Sp.Ort., and drg. Syakriani, Sp.KGA.
Dean of Faculty of Dentistry of Unhas, drg. Muhammad Ruslin, M. Kes, PhD, Sp.BM (K) said that this program was very positive for students to observe the education system and student life in Japan. Thus, students and lecturers who participate in the program are expected to gain broader insights and have a global perspective.
“This is the eighth year we are holding this program. Students can interact in the lecture system and academic life in Japan. In addition to having an impact on personal perspectives on global dynamics, this activity also opens a wider network,” said drg. Ruslin.
Furthermore, drg. Ruslin said that besides providing a forum for the development of knowledge to students through the Odapus program, he also provided opportunities for young Unhas lecturers who wished to continue their education abroad. For this reason, outbound lecturer programs are available which are hosted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency through the Sakura Program.
“Every year Unhas sends two to three lecturers in this activity. This year, there are 10 young Unhas lecturers who participated in the program,” said drg.Ruslin.
The event coordinator, drg. Acing Habibie Mude, Ph.D., added that while attending the program at Okayama University, lecturers and students will join lecturers and students from other countries such as Brazil and Vietnam.
“They get the opportunity to observe dental and oral health services at the University Hospital, take part in the regular lecture, practice with adequate research tools, and closely observe the Japanese culture on weekends activity. (*)
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
