The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FK USU), participated in a tuberculosis (TB) research cooperation and training program with several higher education institutions in Southeast Asia. The program involved Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Thailand, as well as universities and institutions from Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, with support from the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH).

As part of the cooperation series, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, invited USU representatives to attend a meeting to discuss research and TB capacity strengthening. The meeting was scheduled to take place on September 18–20, 2026, at Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand.

FK USU was represented by dr. R Lia Kusumawati, M.Biomed, Sp.MK(K), Ph.D, from the Department of Microbiology, FK USU. The participation of the FK USU representative in this activity formed part of the institution's involvement in developing research networks and strengthening human resource capacity in the field of tuberculosis, including challenges related to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

The Fogarty-supported program is part of the “Research Training and Capacity Strengthening for LMICs in Southeast Asia” project, which aims to strengthen TB and MDR-TB research capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. This Global Infectious Diseases program has been ongoing since 2015 and is led by Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong, MD, PhD, Professor and Curriculum Chairman of the International Program for Graduate Study in Epidemiology at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

FK USU's involvement in the program forms part of efforts to strengthen academic and research capacity in the field of infectious diseases. Cross-border collaboration also provides opportunities for knowledge and experience exchange, as well as the development of research networks that can support the development of scientific approaches to TB prevention and control.

This activity is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being through contributions to strengthening research and capacity in tuberculosis control; SDG 4: Quality Education through the development of education, training, and research capacity for academics and researchers; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions and research institutions from various countries in Southeast Asia.

Through participation in this international cooperation, FK USU continues to develop academic and research networks that support human resource capacity development and the contribution of medical education institutions to infectious disease control efforts at the national and regional levels.