UNUD MPH Student Showcases Rabies Outbreak Research at International SAFETYNET Scientific Conference

• By Admin
• Senin, 29 September 2025

Made Jana Darmika, a 2024 cohort student from the Master of Public Health Program (S2 IKM) at Udayana University, successfully had his poster accepted at the 2nd SAFETYNET Scientific Conference, held at the Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 22–26 September 2025. SAFETYNET is part of Tephinet Asia, the regional network of the global Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), which aims to protect public health from infectious disease threats. The MPH program at UNUD is an active member of this network, alongside six other leading universities in Indonesia.

Jana’s poster, supervised by Dr. Sang Gede Purnama and Dr. Made Subrata, focused on the impact of animal bite incidents related to rabies in a Bali regency and highlighted the positive outcomes following the establishment of the community-level TISIRA rabies response team. Despite financial constraints from sponsors and the university preventing him from attending the conference in person, the poster was successfully presented virtually, demonstrating both the student’s perseverance and the program’s commitment to showcasing research at an international level.

This achievement provides several important lessons. For students, it highlights the value of research, mentorship, and resilience in overcoming logistical challenges to participate in global scientific discourse. For the MPH program, it underscores the benefits of international networking, knowledge sharing, and integration within global epidemiology initiatives, reinforcing the relevance of its curriculum and practical training. Participation in such conferences also strengthens the program’s vision and mission by preparing graduates to contribute effectively to public health interventions, foster community-level disease prevention, and engage with international partners, all of which enhance the program’s academic reputation and alignment with accreditation standards.