In the demanding academic environment, student organizations are required not only to function routinely but also to continuously innovate and remain adaptive. Success in designing work programs, managing teams, and delivering broad social impact often requires benchmarking and learning from leading institutions. This spirit motivated the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (BEM KM FKG UGM), to conduct a visit to the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia (FKG UI) on Saturday, 4 October 2025.
The activity was organized as a comparative study of organizational systems, work programs, and the exchange of experiences related to academic life and the dynamics of being dental students. In addition, the visit aimed to expand and strengthen relationships between students from the two leading educational institutions in Indonesia.
The Head of Student Affairs and Counseling of FKG UGM, drg. Fadyl Yunizar, MPH., Ph.D., expressed his hope that this benchmarking activity would be used optimally for knowledge sharing, both in organizational and academic contexts. “Hopefully this opportunity can be utilized as well as possible to share organizational experiences and for FKG UGM students to gain new insights from their peers at FKG UI,” said Fadyl.
He further explained that both BEM FKG UGM and BEM FKG UI presented their organizational structures and various work programs that had been implemented during the current period. The discussion was continued through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving each department, addressing relevant topics such as work program innovation, flagship activities, applied work ethics, and shared experiences as dental students.
The arrival of BEM FKG UGM was warmly welcomed by BEM FKG UI. Naufal Fakhri Aziz, President of BEM FKG UI, expressed his appreciation and looked forward to sustainable collaboration between the two institutions.
According to Naufal, student involvement in organizations such as BEM plays an important role in character building and in developing personal potential beyond academics. “Through visits like this, we open space to exchange ideas, share work programs, and inspire each other in carrying out organizational functions oriented toward the advancement of dental students in Indonesia,” he stated.
Cahyani Citra, from the Media and Information Division of BEM KM FKG UGM, emphasized the importance of student participation in organizations as a crucial platform for self-development. According to her, such involvement offers comprehensive strategic benefits.
First, organizations serve as a medium to expand relationships and networks, both internally and externally within the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) UGM. Second, active participation allows students to sharpen teamwork skills in designing and implementing BEM KM FKG UGM programs, which ultimately provide tangible contributions to the academic community and the wider public.
As an example, BEM KM FKG UGM has a Community Service Department that consistently focuses on outreach activities, such as dental screening and oral health education. One of their flagship programs is the National Dental Health Month, which provides free dental screening and simple dental treatments. “Beyond hard skills, organizations can also train interpersonal skills, especially time management and workload management, which are essential preparation for the professional world,” she concluded.
Author: Fajar Budi Harsakti | Photo: BEM FKG UGM Documentation
