Recently, the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) successfully held the Dental Summer Course 2024 from 15 to 21 July. The event, attended by 164 students from various ASEAN countries, was vibrant and provided valuable experiences for the participants.
Over the course of seven days, the participants engaged in a series of exciting activities, including classroom lectures, community service at a special needs school, and cultural tours in Yogyakarta. The lectures covered a wide range of current topics in the field of dentistry, delivered by expert speakers.
One of the most memorable activities was the community service project. Participants had the opportunity to share their knowledge and provide dental care to children with special needs at a school in Yogyakarta.
Mojeeb, an international student from Yemen, expressed his joy in participating in this event. Through this program, he gained new knowledge, experiences, and friends. “Your dedication and hard work have made this program truly memorable,” said Mojeeb.
Similarly, Berlian, a participant from Indonesia, also found the program impressive. She noted that this Dental Summer Course was different from others she had attended. “There was a community service activity that allowed me to share and bring joy to my friends with special needs,” she explained.
drg. Henytaria Fajrianti, Sp.KG, the chair of the organizing committee, expressed her gratitude to all participants and speakers involved. “We hope this event provided a memorable and positive experience for the participants. We also hope it raised awareness and concern among the participants for patients with special needs,” said Heny.
Participants of the Dental Summer Course came from several ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Yemen, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The group consisted of 124 Indonesian students and 40 international students. Participants were selected through the network of partner universities associated with the Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, and FKKMK UGM. International students were recruited through dental student networks such as APDSA (Asian Pacific Dental Student Association) and IADS (International Association of Dental Students).
The Summer Course supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Author: Fajar Budi H. | Photo: Fajar Budi H.