Agromedicine – The Faculty of Medicine, University of Jember (FK UNEJ) organized a special guest lecture featuring two of its founding figures, Satyanegara and Sigit Hendrawan Samsu, on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Held at the FK UNEJ Auditorium, the event marked a historic moment as both speakers are recognized as the founding fathers of FK UNEJ. Prof. Satyanegara currently serves as Senior Director at Tzu Chi Hospital, while Sigit Hendrawan Samsu is the founder of PT Mitra Tani Dua Tujuh, a leading agribusiness company in Jember.
The event began with the singing of the national anthem Indonesia Raya, the University of Jember Hymn, and the Agromedicine March, performed enthusiastically by lecturers, students, and invited guests. The program was officially opened by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, dr. Ida Srisurani Wiji Astuti, M.Kes., FISPH, FISCM, who expressed her pride and gratitude for the presence of the founding figures who laid the foundation of FK UNEJ.
The lecture session was moderated by dr. Novan Krisno Adji, Sp.BS. The first presentation was delivered by Sigit Hendrawan Samsu with the topic “Health and Industry.” In his presentation, he emphasized the importance of maintaining workers’ health in industrial settings and highlighted how the agribusiness sector can contribute to public health through technological innovation.
The second session was presented by Satyanegara, who discussed “Pesticide Neurotoxicity.” He explained the impact of pesticides on the human nervous system and stressed the importance of risk mitigation for agricultural workers. His presentation was met with great enthusiasm, given its relevance to health challenges in agrarian regions such as Jember.
The event was attended by faculty leaders and lecturers from health-related disciplines at the University of Jember. Also present were key figures from the industry sector, including the President Director of PT Mitratani Dua Tujuh and a representative buyer from Japan, whose presence enriched the discussion and strengthened the connection between academia and industry.
In addition, a former director of a plantation company in Jember attended as an honorary guest, contributing to a sense of shared history and collaboration in the agricultural sector. FK UNEJ students showed great enthusiasm, as they had the opportunity to gain direct insights from experienced professionals in both the medical and industrial fields.
The Q&A session at the end of the event provided an interactive platform for participants to engage with the speakers. Many students took the opportunity to ask questions about health issues related to industrial environments and pesticide use. The speakers responded thoroughly, offering valuable perspectives on the future of health in these sectors.
This guest lecture not only provided new knowledge and insights but also served as a platform to strengthen connections between academics and industry practitioners. FK UNEJ hopes to continue fostering collaborations with various stakeholders to enhance the quality of medical education and research, as well as to support broader public health initiatives.
Author: AKR