Being a university student does not revolve solely around classroom lectures. Students also have opportunities to develop managerial skills and broaden their learning experiences through active involvement in campus organizations.
A total of 50 students who are part of the Student Executive Board of the Student Family (BEM KM) of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), visited the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Padjadjaran (FKG UNPAD) on Saturday (2/5).
The delegation was accompanied by the Head of the Student Affairs and Counseling Unit of FKG UGM, drg. Muhammad Fahmi Alfian, M.P.H. The visit was part of the UGM Dental Visit program initiated by the Networking Department of BEM KM FKG UGM.
“This activity serves as a networking platform to exchange insights and complement one another among dental students. We hope this event becomes the first step toward collaboration and cooperation between FKG UGM and FKG UNPAD that can provide broad benefits for both institutions,” said event coordinator Naila Indra Davina (13/5).
Davina explained that FKG UNPAD was selected because it is recognized as one of the dental faculties with the most advanced facilities in Indonesia. Through this visit, students hoped to learn more about the infrastructure available at UNPAD. They also wanted to exchange ideas regarding the dynamics and organizational processes of student organizations there.
During the activity, delegations from both campuses held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The forum discussed organizational dynamics, student learning methods, and curricula implemented at each institution. Afterward, the delegation conducted a campus tour to directly observe facilities and gain insights into the academic culture at UNPAD.
From the visit, the FKG UGM delegation brought home several new experiences. One of the most notable differences was the student organization recruitment system.
Student organizational periods at FKG UNPAD are not tied to serving for two consecutive terms. “As a result, students can decide which management period they wish to participate in, with a three-year term duration,” added Davina.
On the other hand, the UGM Dental Visit program is held twice a year: once to visit another institution and once to host visiting delegations. Each implementation includes FGD sessions and campus or faculty tours. The program has become one of the flagship initiatives of the Networking Department in strengthening synergy among dental education institutions across Indonesia.
Author: Fajar Budi
Photo: Documentation of BEM FKG UGM
