Dental education is no longer confined to classrooms or geographic boundaries. In an era of increasingly complex global health challenges, cross-border collaboration is key to unlocking new perspectives. This spirit was embodied by the delegation from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) during their visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the International Collaborative Symposium on Development of Human Resources in Practical Oral Health and Treatment, held on February 8–9, 2026.
Hosted at the Royale Chulan Hotel, the event was more than a scientific forum—it reflected the strong partnership among FKG UGM (Indonesia), Niigata University (Japan), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The FKG UGM delegation attended in full force, carrying a mission of academic diplomacy. Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Collaboration, Drg. Trianna Wahyu Utami, MD.Sc., Ph.D., represented the faculty leadership and served as Chair of the symposium discussions—highlighting FKG UGM’s strategic role in regional academic collaboration.
During the symposium, FKG UGM faculty expertise drew significant attention. The long-standing academic ties with Niigata University were evident, as two of its doctoral alumni were invited speakers. Drg. Finsa Tisna Sari, M.Biomed., Ph.D., presented on “Senescence in Organogenesis,” a fundamental topic in oral biology.
Meanwhile, Head of the Preventive Dentistry Department, Drg. Lisdrianto Hanindriyo, MPH., Ph.D., addressed a highly relevant issue through his presentation, “Minimal Intervention Dentistry in Indonesia’s Oral Healthcare Systems.”
Technological innovation was also featured. drg. Achmad Zam Zam Aghasy, M.Kes., presented a poster on artificial intelligence titled “Benchmarking Large Language Models for Dental Clinical Decision Support: A BERT Score Analysis of Claude Opus 4.5,” sparking discussions on the future of AI integration in clinical decision-making.
The visit continued on February 10, 2026, with an official meeting at the Faculty of Dentistry, UKM. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dean Prof. Dr. Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom and her team. This meeting focused on advancing postgraduate student exchange plans.
drg. Lisdrianto also delivered a guest lecture to Master of Dental Public Health students, sharing insights into Indonesia’s healthcare system in preparation for their upcoming mobility program at FKG UGM.
Reflecting on the collaboration, drg. Drian emphasized its significance:
“This collaboration is not merely ceremonial—it is a vital bridge of knowledge. Our long-standing relationship with Niigata University is now enriched through partnerships with UKM. While each country faces unique dental health challenges, solutions often emerge through shared dialogue. I am optimistic this network will greatly impact curriculum development and healthcare policy in the future.”
This initiative underscores FKG UGM’s commitment to being not just a center of knowledge, but an active global partner in improving quality of life through impactful education and research.
(drg. Zam Zam Aghasy, M.Kes)
