17 October 2025 – The Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), received a visit from the Awal Bros Hospital Group to explore strategic cooperation related to strengthening dental services as well as the placement of dental graduates and dental specialists within the Awal Bros Hospital network.
The meeting, held at the Dental Learning Center Building of FKG UGM, was attended by the Head of the Cooperation Unit of FKG UGM, drg. Anrizandy Narwidina, M.DSc, Sp.KGA, Ph.D., along with the cooperation team and the Public Relations team of FKG UGM. Representing the Awal Bros Hospital Group were dr. Ryan Mutiara, MKk, Group Head of Medical Affairs of Awal Bros Group; dr. Suri Putri Nandita, Director of Awal Bros Bagan Batu Hospital; and dr. Nefanny Ridwan, Sp.N, a neurologist and UGM alumna.
In her remarks, drg. Sandy, as she is familiarly known, conveyed a warm welcome and appreciation to the Awal Bros Hospital team for their collaboration initiative, which is expected to open opportunities for synergy in education, services, and community engagement.
“We welcome the good intentions of Awal Bros Hospital to open avenues for collaboration. FKG UGM is ready to assist and prepare potential cooperation schemes in the future,” said drg. Sandy.
The Awal Bros Hospital Group explained that their hospital network currently consists of ten hospitals spread across Batam, Pekanbaru, Ujung Batu, Dumai, and Bagan Batu, with an urgent need for dentists and dental specialists in various branches.
“Our hope is to establish cooperation so that FKG UGM graduates are interested in pursuing careers within our network,” stated dr. Ryan Mutiara, MKk.
During the discussion, both parties discussed three main cooperation schemes, namely:
- Assignment of FKG UGM lecturers or dental specialists with available Practice Licenses (Surat Izin Praktik/SIP) to serve as part-time dentists at Awal Bros hospitals.
- Placement of residents or dental specialists in training to carry out low-supervision practice under the guidance of supervising lecturers.
- Joint community service programs in the form of dental health services in areas surrounding Awal Bros hospitals as an initiation of collaboration.
In addition, representatives of FKG UGM emphasized the importance of fulfilling regulatory aspects and academic mechanisms, particularly for lecturers and residents who are still bound by the tridharma obligations of higher education. The discussion also covered aspects of benefits and facilities for assigned medical personnel, such as accommodation, transportation, and honoraria.
The Awal Bros Group also conveyed that they already have their own dental laboratory, named Star Dental Lab, which has been providing various types of dental prostheses and restorations for both internal and external dentists. This facility is expected to support broader cooperation with FKG UGM.
Interestingly, the Awal Bros Hospital Group is also developing the Awal Bros Faculty of Medicine in Pekanbaru and plans to become a teaching hospital in the coming year, opening greater opportunities for academic synergy with UGM.
Closing the meeting, both parties agreed to follow up on the discussion results through internal consultations and the preparation of cooperation documents, either in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or more specific cooperation agreements. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) maupun perjanjian kerja sama yang lebih spesifik.
“FKG UGM is ready to formally follow up on the results of this discussion with the faculty leadership. We see many potential collaborations that will not only strengthen dental services but also provide benefits for students and the community,” concluded drg. Sandy.
Author: Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Fajar Budi Harsakti
