The Faculty of Medicine USU once again demonstrated its involvement in an international health forum. Director of Prof. dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Hospital (RSP CPL) USU and staff member of the Faculty of Medicine USU, dr. Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis, PGDip PID, FAAET, M.Ked(Ped), Sp.A., Ph.D., served as one of the Keynote Speakers at the 8th Symposium on Surveillance-Response Systems Leading to Tropical Diseases Elimination (SRS8), held in Shanghai, China, on September 21–23, 2026.
At the forum organized by the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NIPD, China CDC), dr. Inke delivered a presentation entitled “One Health and the Emerging Challenge of Zoonotic Malaria in Southeast Asia.” In her presentation, the One Health approach served as an important perspective in addressing complex infectious disease challenges, particularly zoonotic malaria, which involves interconnected aspects of human, animal, and environmental health.
dr. Inke’s participation as a Keynote Speaker provided an opportunity for the Faculty of Medicine USU to contribute to the exchange of knowledge and experience related to tropical diseases at the international level. Her participation also strengthened the role of the Faculty of Medicine USU academic community in the development of knowledge, research, and global collaboration in the fields of public health and tropical diseases.
In addition to her participation as a Keynote Speaker, the SRS8 agenda also served as an important moment for Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) to strengthen its international cooperation network. On this occasion, USU officially signed a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) with the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, China CDC, and The HEAD Foundation.
The signing of the cooperation agreement was attended by Rector of USU Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si.; Vice Rector III of USU for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T.; and Vice Rector IV for Planning, Infrastructure, and Business, Dr. M. Anggia Muchtar, S.T., MM.IT. Also present was Director of Prof. dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Hospital USU and staff member of the Faculty of Medicine USU, dr. Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis, PGDip PID, FAAET, M.Ked(Ped), Sp.A., Ph.D.
This cooperation is aimed at strengthening research, surveillance, innovation, and evidence-based interventions to support efforts to accelerate malaria elimination, particularly in North Sumatra. The partnership also opens broader opportunities for the development of academic and research networks between institutions in Indonesia and international partners.
For the Faculty of Medicine USU, participation in the agenda is part of its commitment to continuously strengthening its contributions to education, research, healthcare services, and community service, particularly in addressing tropical disease challenges that require cross-disciplinary and cross-country collaboration. The One Health approach highlighted at the forum is also in line with efforts to support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being through strengthening capacity, research, surveillance, and collaboration to improve public health and support infectious disease control.
dr. Inke’s participation as a Keynote Speaker, along with USU’s involvement in strengthening international cooperation, is expected to further expand the contributions of the Faculty of Medicine USU and Prof. dr. Chairuddin P. Lubis Hospital USU to the development of medical science and global health, while promoting sustainable collaboration toward malaria elimination.