Agromedis – The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jember (FK UNEJ) once again organized an international academic activity through a guest lecture themed community services, featuring a speaker from San Pedro College, Philippines. The event took place on Tuesday, April 15, 2026, at the Avicenna Building Auditorium of FK UNEJ and was attended by lecturers from various health-related faculties within Universitas Jember.
This activity served as part of FK UNEJ’s efforts to strengthen international collaboration while enhancing academic capacity, particularly in the field of community-based services focusing on mental health and education. The presence of an international speaker provided a global perspective that is highly relevant to current educational and healthcare needs.
The event was officially opened by the Dean of FK UNEJ, Dr. dr. Ulfa Elfiah, M.Kes., Sp.BP-RE., Subsp.L.B.L.(K). In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of cross-country collaboration in advancing knowledge, especially in the areas of mental health and community services. She noted that this event represents a strategic opportunity to broaden insights and strengthen international partnerships.
This was followed by a speech from the Dean of the School of Counseling and Psychology, San Pedro College, HENRY MABALE YAP, PhD, RGC, CCDF, CCBP. In his address, he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with FK UNEJ and highlighted the importance of synergy among educational institutions in improving the quality of education and mental health services globally.
As a form of institutional commitment, the event also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FK UNEJ and the School of Counseling and Psychology, San Pedro College, Philippines. This agreement marks the beginning of a sustainable collaboration in the areas of education, research, and community service.
Following the MoU signing ceremony, the event continued with the main session delivered by HENRY MABALE YAP. In his presentation, he discussed “Academic Counseling and Mental Health Screening of Students,” emphasizing the crucial role of educational institutions in maintaining students’ mental well-being through structured academic counseling and early mental health screening.
He explained that student mental health is a critical aspect that requires serious attention, particularly amid academic pressures and campus life dynamics. Through well-structured counseling systems and regular mental health screenings, institutions can identify issues early and provide appropriate interventions.
The presentation also highlighted various strategies for implementing counseling services in academic settings, including preventive and promotive approaches to maintaining students’ psychological well-being. This topic was highly relevant for the attending lecturers, particularly in supporting their roles as educators and academic advisors.
Participants showed strong enthusiasm during the interactive discussion session that followed. Lecturers from various health-related faculties actively shared their experiences and raised questions regarding the implementation of counseling services and mental health screening at Universitas Jember.
Through this activity, FK UNEJ reaffirmed its commitment to delivering education that not only focuses on academic excellence but also prioritizes the mental well-being of its academic community. It is hoped that the collaboration with San Pedro College, Philippines, will continue to grow and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of education and healthcare services in Indonesia.
Author: AKR