Written by: Khesara Sastrin Prasita Negara
One Health Collaborating Center Universitas Gadjah Mada (OHCC UGM) under The Research Center for Biotechnology Universitas Gadjah Mada was holding the Komodo Summer Course since 2019. Komodo and Wildlife One Health Summer Course (KWOHSC) which took place for two weeks, 5 July-16 July 2021 was successfully held. The summer course this year was held virtually comparing to the previous 2019 Komodo Summer Course that was held offline in Labuan Bajo when visited Komodo National Park due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apart from having a focus on zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans), especially those originating from wild animals. As much as more than 70% of zoonotic diseases originate from wild animals, this is what underlies OHCC UGM focus on wildlife besides the status of Komodo as Seven Wonders of Nature because it is considered as an ancient animal that is still left. OHCC UGM has mission to preserve Indonesian biodiversity. OHCC UGM, which is under The Research Center for Biotechnology Universitas Gadjah Mada, also focuses on developing zoonotic disease diagnoses from wild animals using a molecular approach. In addition, OHCC UGM also has collaborations with several universities and organizations that focus on wildlife.
The 15 international speakers of KWOHSC are from United States, Australia, Germany, France, Belgium, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philipines. The Indonesian speakers are lecturers in Universitas Gadjah Mada from diverse faculties e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Forestry, Biology, Cultural Studies, and Geography as well as professionals from Komodo Survival Program and Komodo National Park. The 101 registered participants are from 25 countries e.g. Thailand, The Netherlands, Malaysia, Tunisia, China, Vietnam, Philipines, Australia, Puerto Rico, Iran, Pakistan, Ethiopia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, France, Russia, Peru, Spain, Czech, Nepal, Hungary, Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland, Canada, and Paraguay.
The summer course was divided into 2 sessions which are Lecture Sessions and Practical Sessions. The synchronous Lecture Sessions were lectures from the speakers with 5 panels: One Health, Wildlife, Zoonotic Diseases, Komodo, and Disease Identification. The asyncronous activities were reading journals, self study, and miniquiz. While the synchronous Practical Sessions were practicals from the speakers and Final Presentation. The asynchronous activities were individual and group paperwork as well as preparation for the Final Presentation.
This summer course will hopely Increase recognition of Universitas Gadjah Mada in the international world through international academic activities that are conservation oriented; awaken the spirit of conservation and identification of wildlife microbiomes in students from various countries, especially ASEAN, which is one of the strongholds of world conservation and the spread of zoonotic diseases originating from wildlife; enhancing skills and equipping prospective scholars from disciplines related to molecular biology and wildlife conservation (veterinary medicine, forestry, biology), so that later they can become leaders with global insight, and be environmentally sensitive; become a venue for transfer of knowledge, technology, and conservation experience from experts in saving wildlife from various countries to prospective leaders of ASEAN and international; and provide insight into the concept of One Health in the preservation of Indonesia’s biodiversity.