Two professors of FF UNAIR, Prof. Dr. apt. Noorma Rosita, M.Si and Prof. apt. Rr Retno Widyowati, S.Si., M.Pharm., Ph.D., contributed to international community service (pengmas) Bhakti Nusa organized by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
The activity held on August 7-9 was conducted at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Harun and Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Sireh, Malaysia. Bhakti Nusa presented various educational activities targeting elementary school students, secondary school students, and parents.
At the elementary school level, activities included education on introducing the profession of pharmacists. Through this activity, students were introduced to the role and contribution of pharmacists in maintaining public health. Education was also presented in an engaging manner through various competitions with health and pharmacy themes, so students could gain knowledge while experiencing enjoyable learning.
Meanwhile, for secondary school students, activities focused on introducing higher education and higher education perspectives, including an introduction to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). This activity served as a means to expand students' horizons regarding educational choices after completing secondary school and open perspectives on opportunities to continue studies at higher education institutions.
Contributions were also provided to students' parents through health promotion activities featuring Prof. Dr. apt. Noorma Rosita, M.Si. and Prof. apt. Rr. Retno Widyowati, S.Si., M.Pharm., Ph.D.
Prof. Noorma provided a presentation with the material "Safe Cosmetics in USM Malaysia Communities." Through this counseling, the community received education on the importance of selecting and using cosmetic products correctly and safely. Knowledge about cosmetics became important so the community could be wiser in determining products used in daily life.
Meanwhile, Prof. Retno provided education on herbal medicine utilization through the topic "Healthy and Beautiful with Herbal Medicine and Cosmetics in USM Malaysia Communities." The material introduced herbal medicine as part of efforts to maintain health and fitness while encouraging understanding among local communities regarding the proper use of natural materials.
The participation of two FF UNAIR Professors in Bhakti Nusa activities became part of academics' contribution in expanding the benefits of knowledge and education to the international level. This activity also strengthened the role of higher education in providing health education to society while building cross-country academic collaboration networks.
The Bhakti Nusa activity aligns with FF UNAIR's commitment to supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education. Through education for students and society, this activity became concrete evidence of higher education's contribution in providing inclusive learning, increasing knowledge, and encouraging the formation of communities more aware of health.
FF UNAIR’s participation in this international community service is hoped to continue strengthening collaboration with educational institutions at the global level while expanding the positive impact of pharmaceutical science for society.
