The Health Promoting University (HPU) Senyum initiative at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), recently garnered attention during a meeting led by Prof. Dra. Yayi Suryo Prabandari, M.Si., PhD, Head of HPU at UGM.
HPU is a comprehensive approach aimed at creating a learning environment and organizational culture that supports sustainable health and well-being for the entire campus community. Prof. Yayi emphasized that this program encourages campus members to holistically optimize their potential.
The primary goals of HPU include improving the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community through innovative and effective policies. Additionally, HPU aims to align teaching and research capacities towards health promotion, encouraging healthy behaviors, and building integrated health networks beneficial to society.
Since its declaration in July 2019, HPU has introduced seven core initiatives: health literacy, physical activity, healthy eating habits, mental health, zero tolerance for drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, zero tolerance for violence, bullying, and harassment, and the creation of a healthy, safe, and disability-friendly environment.
This year, a new initiative focusing on reproductive health was added, bringing the total to eight. Each activity is managed by a dedicated team, with program coordinators in every faculty under the guidance of UGM’s Vice Rector for Human Resource Development and Affairs (SDMA).
Over time, HPU has expanded to include various faculties, including Engineering, Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Social and Political Sciences, Dentistry, and Pharmacy.
These faculties actively participate in Posbindu (Integrated Development Posts), which promote campus community health through regular health screenings for faculty, staff, and students.
In its early days, HPU faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. FKG UGM responded by conducting Posbindu activities focusing on community health screenings. This initiative laid a crucial foundation for ensuring the health and well-being of the campus community during the pandemic.
Prof. Yayi highlighted that the HPU program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 3, 4, 9, and 10. These goals emphasize access to basic services, health education, and affordable health resources. By fostering a culture of health, HPU aims to create an environment that enhances the quality of life for the entire campus community.
Beyond physical health, HPU Senyum also emphasizes mental well-being by organizing mental health workshops and providing counseling services, ensuring accessible support for all campus members.
As a significant step toward a healthier and more sustainable campus, the HPU Senyum initiative at FKG UGM demonstrates a lasting commitment to health. This commitment is evident through innovative policies and active community involvement. Under Prof. Yayi's leadership and the participation of the UGM community, HPU is poised to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the academic community and the wider public.
Authors: Firda Cahya & Pram
