In his remark, Prof. Sahid Teguh Widodo, the Head of PUI Javanologi UNS, said that the theme raised is noteworthy since Java is part of the emerald of the equator. “Java is the world’s manikkam (gemstone), which holds a thousand mountains of gold, fertile land, and prosperity. It is not only rich in tangible resources but also intangible resources such as knowledge, thought, and philosophy that grows and develops in cultural life. PUI Javanologi will strive to preserve Javanese cultures through research and studies,” he explained.

The Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, said that Java is also a center of culture with advanced ancient technology, thus, it holds a diverse cultural and historical heritage. “This cultural heritage includes temples, architecture, traditions, art, cuisine, clothing, and developed technology. This heritage is in line with human resources diversity blessed with various professions in the field of art and culture. The City Government of Solo strongly supports the preservation of the arts, culture, and traditions that we have,” said Gibran.

Meanwhile, Prof. Jamal said that there is a Javanese proverb saying “gemah ripah loh jinawi” (serene, prosperous, abundantly fertile), which refers to an ideal economy. Further, there were also sublime social institutions developed in the community for generations. “Traditions such as visiting each other, empathy, guyub rukun (harmony), mutual cooperation, and many others, as original Javanese values continue to grow and develop. Java also holds a diverse cultural heritage and superior products, such as batik, shadow puppets, gamelan, architecture, manuscripts, and daggers that have been internationally recognized by UNESCO as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity,” said Prof. Jamal.

The Vice Governor of Central Java, Taj Yasin, said that the theme raised by PUI Javanologi was intriguing as a discussion subject. “When talking about Java, not only it has high potential human resources but also supported by rich natural resources. Fertile soil, earth mineral and material content, mountains, rivers, and others. Java is also rich in cultural and philosophical values, which remain applicable and highly respected to this day,” said the Vice Governor of Central Java, Taj Yasin. Humas UNS

Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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The community apothecary and private drugstores could reduce the health facilities’ burden amid the pandemic by providing accurate suggestions and drugs for the patients. Therefore, the government needs to increase community apothecary involvement in responding to the pandemic or outbreak by providing appropriate guidelines and facilities, such as adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

The joint research analyzed the knowledge and practices of 4,716 pharmacists and dan Pharmaceutical Technicians (TTK) in 34 provinces in Indonesia, with one-third of respondents living on Java Island. The result of the online survey held from July to August 2020 was published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific. dr. Yusuf Ari Mashuri from FK UNS, as one of the researchers, argues that when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have access to the proper guidelines and information, many of them want an active role in handling outbreaks.

“For example, by providing suggestions for consumers, distributing leaflets, and participating in surveillance activities. Suggestions from health experts are vital in responding to the misinformation regarding Covid-19 spreading on the social media,” dr. Yusuf Ari Mashuri stated.

The research revealed the vulnerability in health equipment distribution to prevent the infection, such as hand sanitizer and PPE, as challenges widely experienced by developing countries early in the pandemic.

Community Apothecary and Drug Store as Community’s First Destination in Acquiring Treatment

The community apothecary and drug stores play a vital role in serving the community and being the first place to find treatment, especially in the regions with limited healthcare services. Many studies were conducted in the public sector during the Covid-19 pandemic, but limited studies focus on community apothecary and drug stores. Prof. Tri Wibawa from UGM stated that the study showed the importance of community apothecary and drug stores in providing healthcare and fighting the pandemic challenges faced in Indonesia.

“Our findings have an essential contribution to the scientific community. Our survey is one of the largest surveys on pharmacists and TTK working in community apothecary and drug stores in Southeast Asia during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Prof. Tri Wibawa, this survey leader, explained.

Currently, pharmacists and TTK are demanded to take a more active role in outbreak surveillance, health education, drug research, vaccination, diagnostic testing, and supporting programs for medication. These roles are increasingly vital when clinical healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, especially in countries with limited healthcare resources.

Community Apothecary and Drug Stores in Preventing Antibiotic Resistance

The survey showed that many Covid-19 patients visited community apothecary and drug stores to obtain antibiotic, which could increase antimicrobial resistance because antibiotic is not effective medicine for viral infection. Less than a third of respondents mentioned that they had prescribed antibiotics to patients suspected of Covid-19. TTK reported that they prescribed antibiotics more often than the pharmacist. They have the authority and are trained to prescribe medicines and report sales of medicines prescribed by doctors, including antibiotics.

Currently, there are around 135,000 community apothecary and licensed drug stores in Indonesia. However, although Indonesian regulation prohibits the sale of antibiotics freely, antibiotic sales without prescription are common. The study found an increase in antibiotic use by the community during the pandemic.

Prof. Virginia Wiseman from Kirby Institute in the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who also led the survey, explained that antimicrobial resistance had become a significant threat to the community health.

“Therefore, a response that involves all healthcare systems is needed. Community apothecary and drug stores in several countries, especially Indonesia, are vital parts of the healthcare system that must be well integrated into the national pandemic response system. This is the time for countries like Indonesia to start integrating these components,” Prof. Virginia stated.

The Covid-19 survey is a part of PINTAR that aims to increase the wise use of antibiotics in the community and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Humas UNS

Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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The webinar discussed the patriarchal culture that remains and develops in Java by inviting three speakers, the Program Director of Jakarta Feminist and Co-Director of Hollaback! Jakarta, Anindya Restuviani, Lecture and the Head of Law, Gender, and Society Research Faculty of Law UGM, Sri Wiyanti Eddyono, S.H., LL.M.(HR)., Ph.D., and Project Officer CREATE (Creative Youth for Tolerance) Program at Hivos SEA, Nisrina Nadhifah Rahman.

The discussion started from the demeaning terms that exist in Javanese culture such as ‘konco wingking’ (a friend who works at the back part of the house, e.g., in the kitchen and cleaning) and ‘suargo nunut, neraka katut’ (a woman always follow their husband either to heaven or to hell), which placing women below mean, hinting that they do not have control over their life and that women’s future depends on their husband. Perpetuating ingrained patriarchal culture, which leads to gender-based abuses and discrimination. “We hoped that this event could provide knowledge and benefits in stopping patriarchy culture in Javanese community as a preventive step in reducing and eliminating gender inequality,” Santi Pratiwi, Vice-Chairwoman of Girl Up UNS, stated.

Patriarchy Culture

The discussion was opened by Anindya’s explanation that patriarchy is a social system that places men as the power holder. In this system, men dominate the leadership at family, political, moral authority, social privilege, and property levels. With the subordination of women’s roles, the system is vulnerable to creating discrimination and gender-based violence. “In a patriarchy world, if you pay attention during the Covid-19 pandemic, people who believe in patriarchy think domestic affairs belong to women; therefore, women have more burdens,” Anindya stated.

Discussing gender-based violence and women empowerment is often inseparable from the culture in which women live. Sri Wiyanti stated that patriarchal culture exists in various cultures besides Javanese. “Patriarchy culture could be found in many communities, cultures, either in parental, patrilineal, or matrilineal community,” she explained.

However, culture as a social construct is not stagnant and could be changed. Therefore, it is possible to change patriarchal culture through the values that lead to gender discrimination. From a legal perspective, these values lead to gender stereotype that affects how the law is implemented. According to Nisrinia, changing the patriarchal culture in the community could be achieved through education or a need-based approach, trying to listen to victims, opening safe and extensive discussions without making certain things to be taboo, trying and brave to criticize injustice, being creative, interactive, and maintain relations with many parties. Humas UNS

Reporter: Erliska Yuniar Purbayani
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“Next year, after the ‘green light’ from the government is bestowed in a Presidential Regulation (Perpres), nuclear power will be a national priority project. Of course, this project will require thousands of workers, and most are experts in nuclear engineering. Therefore, we encourage UNS to establish a Nuclear Physics Engineering Study Program with this opportunity in mind,” said Bob on the sidelines of the National Seminar discussing ‘Nuclear as a Solution for Sustainable Energy to Pursue a Prosperous and Low Carbon Indonesia in 2050,’ Wednesday (16/3/2022).

Bob added that there is an urgency for the government to fulfilling environmentally friendly and cheap electricity energy needs, which does not require extensive allocation from the State Budget. The only solution for this situation is nuclear power. Because of this situation, Bob believes the government will approve the construction of the proposed Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN). “This is power plan is supported by the results presented in the academic studies manuscript conducted by UNS, that has been proven, verified, and validated. That nuclear is an environmentally friendly power plant,” Bob continued.

On the other hand, the data and facts show that nuclear power is the safest power plant generation based on death count. In addition, there is already a nuclear regulator supervisor, namely the Nuclear Power Supervisory Agency (Bapeten). Furthermore, Indonesia has more than 50 years of experience in operating nuclear reactors. The nuclear reactors in question are Triga Mark Reactor located in Bandung, Kartini Reactor in Yogyakarta, and Siwabessy Reactor in Serpong. “There are currently thousands of nuclear experts from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Nuclear Technology Institute (STTN), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). Hopefully, there will be graduates from UNS; thus, we can fulfill the needs for competent Human Resources (HR). Hence, there is no need to doubt about building a nuclear power plant in Indonesia,” added Bob.

Then, to achieve the Zero Emission target by 2050, nuclear power is an option that must be considered. “What the government has been doing is considering various methods available to achieve the carbon-free emissions, less expensive energy, avoiding electricity tariffs increase, and a stable electricity grid. Therefore, considering the pressing needs, the solution is only on nuclear power,” Bob concluded. Humas UNS

Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
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The post Establishing Partnership with PT ThorCon Power Indonesia, UNS is Encouraged to Establish Nuclear Physics Engineering Program appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

Prof. Yunus added that currently, the number of UNS students or graduates who succeeded in receiving this scholarship is still slim. Of the 40 thousand UNS students, only hundreds received the LPDP Scholarship. Therefore, Prof. Yunus aims to increase the number of participants in LPDP Scholarship selection and recipients for UNS graduates. “There are about 40 thousand UNS students, but if we check further, those who get LPDP scholarships are still very small. Therefore, yesterday we also went to Mr. Dwi Larso, the Director of LPDP Scholarships, to provide dissemination to UNS students and also lecturers,” said Prof. Yunus.

The initial steps taken by UNS LPDP Scholarship Recipient Association through the Sharing Session were appreciated by Prof. Yunus. He hopes that the event can also help increase students’ motivation to continue their studies to higher levels.

The Committee Chair for the Sharing Session, Desi Fitri Yani, explains that the sharing session was intended to disseminate LPDP scholarship requirements. In addition, this sharing session also serves as the media to exchange experiences related to LPDP scholarship selection. “This event aims to introduce or disseminate LPDP Scholarships-related information, concerning the selection process, such as preparation shall be made and students’ motivation to pursue further study,” she said.

The Chairman of the UNS LPDP Scholarship Recipient Association, Dimas Fahrudin, added that this event was the first step taken by his party. After this, Dimas and the committee will provide mentoring for participants interested in applying for LPDP scholarships. “This event will be a series of activities. The first is sharing session, then mentoring. We will assist the participants until the interview stage,” said Dimas.

Dozens of students attended the virtual event held through Zoom Cloud Meetings from UNS and outside UNS. Three speakers were invited to share their experiences related to LPDP Scholarships. The three speakers were Elysa Meilani (LPDP awardee at Wageningen University and Research), M. Rifqi Zulkarnain (LPDP Awardee at Universitas Gadjah Mada), and Aldi Dwi Saputra (LPDP awardee at UNS). Humas UNS

Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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