Sabah, August 31 – September 8, 2025 – Four delegates from the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya (FK UB), namely Luthfi Ahmad Muchlasi, Ihsan Maulana Nugroho, Kayla Adeline Haryoso, and Naila Maharania Radja, participated in the 3rd International Borneo One Health Summer Camp (IBOHSem 2025). This prestigious international program, organized by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), took place in three main locations in Sabah, Malaysia: Sandakan, Kundasang, and Kota Kinabalu.
This year’s program, themed “Planetary Health Future Leaders: Essential Leadership Skills to Tackle the Triple Planetary Health Crisis,” was designed to equip aspiring future leaders with the skills to address complex global challenges, including climate action, wildlife conservation, and community well-being. This intensive nine-day program combined in-depth academic sessions, leadership training, and intensive field experiences.
The series of activities provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of planetary health practices. Participants participated in expert-led case studies on Systems Thinking, strategic leadership, and climate change adaptation. The learning experience was further enriched by visits to world-class conservation centers, such as the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC), which provided firsthand insight into the ethical dilemmas and challenges of wildlife conservation.
One of the program’s highlights was direct community engagement. The Brawijaya University delegation actively participated in two community service activities in Tinusa Village, Sandakan, and Cinta Mata Village, Kundasang. They facilitated basic health screenings for residents, provided education on healthy living and climate change, and participated in community service activities, fostering a sense of community within the local community.
According to Dr. Zulkhairul Naim Bin Sidek Ahmad, Chief Executive of IBOHSem 2025, the program aims to break down barriers between disciplines. “The planetary health crisis cannot be solved by one sector alone. IBOHSem is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders capable of cross-systems thinking and collaborative work. By bringing together students from different countries and disciplines for hands-on field experience, we are building a pipeline of future leaders ready to create real, impactful solutions,” he said in his opening remarks.
Luthfi Ahmad Muchlasi, a participant from Brawijaya University, shared his reflections on the experience. “This program was truly transformative. Abstract concepts like ‘One Health’ and ‘Systems Thinking’ were taken out of the classroom and demonstrated in practice. While working directly with the community in Tinusa Village, I learned that the most impactful solutions must not only be scientific, but also built on trust, empathy, and genuine collaboration.”
Participation in IBOHSem 2025 has provided Brawijaya University Pharmacy students with invaluable leadership skills, a deep practical understanding of planetary health, and a strong international network. This experience strengthens their capacity to become future health workers who are able to contribute to solving complex environmental and health challenges, both in Indonesia and at the global level.
