University of Sydney delegation visit to Indonesia - May 2012
SEIB assisted with the coordination of a recent high level University of Sydney delegation (including the Chancellor, Vice-chancellor and Dean of the Sydney Medical School) visit to Indonesia. The main aim was to strengthen the tripartite alliance between the University of Sydney, the Eijkman Institute of Molecular Biology in Jakarta and Hasanuddin University in Makassar, South Sulawesi. New collaborations with partners at the universities of Indonesia (Jakarta), Gadjah Mada (Yogyakarta) and Airlangga (Surabaya) were also explored.
New collaborative initiatives with the Eijkman Institute include the IMELDA (Indonesian Model for Epidemic Lifestyle Disease Associations) project, which aims to explore associations between the gut microbiome, genetic factors, nutrition and immunity, among rural and urban populations with variable ethnic backgrounds and diets. Topic areas to be developed as part of the tripartite collaboration with Hasanuddin University include tuberculosis, hepatitis, fungal disease and the establishment of a unique interdisciplinary model that integrates basic health messages with farming education and livelihood assistance. A pilot project is planned in rural Sulawesi with the involvement of cocoa farmers and island families dependent on aquaculture. Other areas explored include perinatal infections, Dengue fever, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.
Dean, Sydney Medical School; Chancellor, University of Sydney and Governor, NSW; Deputy Governor, South Sulawesi; Rector, UNHAS. Inside Governor's Residence, Makassar
Left to right: Professor Nasrum Massi, Professor Cheryl Jones, Professor Tania Sorrell, Professor David Muljono, Professor Alison Kesson, Dr Mark Douglas, Dr Maisuri T Chalid, Dr Muliana. Kneeling: Associate Professor Ben Marais, Dr Aslim Taslim
Professor Nasrum Massi and Associate Professor Ben Marais. Tuberculosis Ward
Dr Nana Saleh, Professor Tania Sorrell, Professor Alison Kesson and Professor Cheryl Jones. Outside - UNHAS University Hospital