UMKT and Akkon University Collaborate to Address Reproductive Health Through International Community Outreach

umkt.ac.id, Samarinda – The Faculty of Public Health at Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT), in collaboration with Akkon University, conducted an International Community Outreach program in Berlin this past October. The initiative, titled “Training of Volunteer Public Health Community Empowerment: The True Reproductive Health Concept Among Adolescents,” was designed to bolster reproductive health awareness as a catalyst for cross-border community empowerment. This milestone was recently highlighted on UMKT Talks, a podcast dedicated to discussing the international achievements of students and faculty.

The program aligns with the vision of UMKT’s Public Health Faculty to become a global leader in community empowerment. While the faculty has a long history of impactful outreach at regional and national levels, this mission represents a strategic expansion into the international arena.

“One of our primary academic goals is to achieve excellence in global community empowerment. Therefore, conducting international community service is a natural and necessary progression for us,” said Nida Amalia, a Public Health lecturer at UMKT who spearheaded the outreach activities in Berlin.

This achievement was made possible through the partnership between UMKT and Akkon University, which began in 2022, alongside support from UMKT’s Research and Community Services Bureau.

Reproductive health was selected as the focal point to address the specific needs of Akkon University’s outreach in various refugee camps, including those serving populations from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Reproductive health remains a strategic global issue, as it is intrinsically linked to human rights, women’s empowerment, gender equality, and the overall improvement of quality of life.

Conducted in October 2025, the program targeted Master’s and fellowship students at Akkon University using a Training of Trainers (ToT) methodology. Through this approach, participants not only received reproductive health education but were also equipped to serve as trainers in their respective home countries. Pre- and post-test assessments showed a significant increase in participants’ knowledge, a clear indicator of the program's effectiveness.

The outreach extended beyond the classroom. The UMKT team also participated in several prestigious international events, as their visit coincided with the World Health Summit and an International Researcher Symposium. During these events, UMKT Public Health students, Noval and Ardi, presented their research findings to a global audience of experts and academics. This provided an invaluable opportunity for the students to hone their academic and public speaking skills on a world-class stage.

In addition to academic rigors, the team navigated significant cultural differences, ranging from social norms to communication styles. These challenges encouraged the UMKT delegation to be more open and adaptive. The diverse backgrounds of the participants enriched the discussions, particularly regarding how to sensitively approach reproductive health topics in regions where such issues are often considered taboo.

Building on the success of the ToT program, UMKT and Akkon University are exploring further collaborations, including joint research projects and joint academic supervision. These efforts are expected to strengthen UMKT’s international brand as a university actively implementing the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tridharma) on a global scale.

In the UMKT Talks podcast, the speakers shared inspiring messages. Lisa Wahidatul Oktaviani, a lecturer involved in the program, expressed her hope that the outreach would have a lasting impact on reproductive health empowerment in Pakistan and beyond. Naufal Faryreza Ryanta encouraged his fellow students to "keep dreaming and doing," noting that every opportunity is a stepping stone to greater success. Similarly, Muhammad Ardi Wijaksana urged his peers to maximize every opportunity to help them "leap further" in their future careers.

This successful mission was supported by comprehensive financial and administrative assistance from UMKT. The Faculty of Public Health, the Research and Community Services Bureau, the Office of Cooperation and International Affairs, and the university leadership provided vital support throughout the process, including visa facilitation. Such institutional backing is fundamental to the sustainability of UMKT’s international outreach initiatives.

Author: Raisha Azzahro

Translator: M. Rafly Raihandy