Agromedicine – The Institute for Research and Community Service (LP2M) of the University of Jember (UNEJ) organized a program titled Reinforcement of Academic Culture for Research & Society Engagement (REALISE) for academic staff at the Faculty of Medicine UNEJ. The event took place on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Faculty Auditorium and aimed to strengthen academic culture in research and community service, while also enhancing overall university performance.
The event began with opening remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine UNEJ, Dr. dr. Ulfa Elfiah, M.Kes., Sp.BP-RE., Subsp.L.B.L(K). In her speech, she emphasized the importance of strengthening academic culture within the faculty, particularly in research and community engagement. She also expressed hope that the REALISE program would serve as a momentum for lecturers and academic staff to become more actively involved in contributing through impactful research for society.
The program continued with remarks from the Head of LP2M UNEJ, Prof. Dr. Yuli Witono, STP, MP. He explained that the REALISE initiative is part of LP2M’s efforts to support lecturers and researchers in improving their performance, especially in scientific publications and community service. He added that the program is expected to encourage greater involvement of academic staff in research projects that directly benefit society.
The event was attended by researchers from the Research and Community Service Groups (KeRis-DiMas) within the Faculty of Medicine UNEJ. Participants received guidance and motivation to continuously improve both the quality and quantity of their research and community service activities. They were also given the opportunity to share experiences and strategies in conducting research projects relevant to community needs.
The primary objective of the REALISE program is to enhance lecturers’ performance in research and community service. This is expected not only to improve the quality of education at the Faculty of Medicine UNEJ but also to contribute positively to the overall performance of the university. Through this initiative, UNEJ aims to play a more active role in providing solutions to societal challenges.
During the program, participants engaged in discussions about various challenges faced in implementing research and community service activities. These discussions were expected to generate valuable recommendations for improving existing systems and procedures, ensuring that research and community service processes become more effective and efficient.
The program received positive feedback from participants, who found it highly beneficial in providing inspiration and guidance for their academic contributions. Many expressed hope that similar programs would be conducted regularly to sustain motivation and commitment in enhancing academic performance.
Additionally, the REALISE program served as a platform for researchers to establish collaborations both within and beyond the university. Such partnerships are considered essential for strengthening research networks and expanding the impact of community service initiatives conducted by UNEJ.
With the conclusion of this program, it is expected that academic staff at the Faculty of Medicine UNEJ will be increasingly motivated to develop themselves and contribute more significantly in research and community service. LP2M UNEJ remains committed to supporting these efforts through various relevant programs and initiatives in the future.
Author: AKR