Agromedicine – In celebration of its 25th Anniversary (Dies Natalis), the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jember (FK UNEJ), organized a Guest Lecture featuring an agromedicine expert from Sweden. The event was held in a hybrid format at the Avicenna Auditorium, FK UNEJ, on March 4, 2025, and was attended by students, lecturers, and academics from various disciplines with an interest in agromedicine.
The event began with opening remarks by the Dean of FK UNEJ, Dr. dr. Ulfa Elfiah, M.Kes., Sp.BP-RE., Subsp. L.B.L.(K). In her speech, she expressed her appreciation for the academic collaboration between FK UNEJ and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. She emphasized that the presence of an international agromedicine expert represents a significant step in broadening academic perspectives and strengthening FK UNEJ’s position in advancing agromedicine in Indonesia.
As part of the event, FK UNEJ also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The MoU covers collaboration in the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, including education, research, and community service. This partnership is expected to foster more beneficial academic collaborations between the two institutions.
Following the MoU signing, the main session featured a lecture by Prof. Peter S.R. Lunqvist, B.Sc., Ph.D., an agromedicine expert from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. In his presentation, Prof. Lunqvist discussed “Farmer’s Mental Health,” a highly relevant topic in the field of agromedicine. He elaborated on the challenges faced by farmers in maintaining mental health and shared strategies to address the psychological pressures commonly encountered in agricultural life.
The presentation received an enthusiastic response from participants, particularly students interested in agromedicine. Prof. Lunqvist also highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in addressing farmers’ mental health issues, integrating perspectives from medicine, psychology, and agricultural sciences.
The discussion session that followed was moderated by dr. Supangat, M.Kes., Ph.D., Sp.BA. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions related to the topic. Several attendees inquired about the implementation of mental health programs for farmers in Indonesia and Sweden’s experience in addressing similar issues.
The discussion was highly interactive, with many participants eager to learn more about applicable research and interventions in the local context. Prof. Lunqvist also shared insights from his research and experiences across various countries in improving farmers’ mental well-being.
This Guest Lecture is expected to provide new insights for students and academics at FK UNEJ, while also strengthening academic ties between FK UNEJ and international institutions. Through this collaboration, FK UNEJ reaffirms its commitment to advancing agromedicine as one of its academic strengths.
Author: AKR