The Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia (FPH UI) organized the 2nd International Teleconference on Technology and Policy (The 2nd ITTP) to support the implementation of Covid-19 recovery in Southeast Asia. The event, which took place on August 6-8, brought together researchers from countries in the Southeast Asian region to discuss projections for handling the Covid-19 pandemic in ASEAN. With the theme “Post COVID-19 Pandemic: Healthier, Smarter, and Resilient ASEAN Community“, this conference is expected to be able to realize a healthier, smarter, andresilient ASEAN community after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Rector of UI, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., said that the opportunity to host the 2nd ITTP event was an honor for UI because it was trusted to be a gathering place for researchers from all over Southeast Asia in formulating health policies after the Covid-19 pandemic. “The Covid-19 pandemic has swept across the world over the past 2 years. During this time, we have seen how ASEAN countries have struggled to cope with it. Now, as the pandemic comes to an end, ASEAN as a community must prepare itself and accelerate to achieve a glorious future through the policies formulated in this conference,” said Prof. Ari.
From all member countries in ASEAN, 27 universities participated in The 2nd ITTP. All universities with various fields of expertise build networks to successfully organize The 2nd ITTP which is supported by the ASEAN secretariat and the ASEAN University Network. According to the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Nadiem Makarim, the organization of The 2nd ITTP is a testament to Indonesia’s ability to drive global revival and recovery through this year’s G20 Presidency.
“We certainly hope that ASEAN can become a formidable region in facing the various challenges that await in the future. Therefore, I hope that this conference can present various strategic recommendations that promote the spirit of mutual cooperation, especially among ASEAN countries. Let’s continue to strengthen ASEAN’s resilience for global recovery,” said Nadiem.
There are three main research topics raised at this conference, namely technology cooperation in the health sector; health technology policies to create health resilience; and promotion of safe tourism that prioritizes health protocols. These research topics will be summarized into policy recommendations for the ASEAN secretariat and Southeast Asian governments to restore post-pandemic conditions. This activity is also expected to open opportunities and spaces for collaboration between researchers in Southeast Asian countries.
“Hopefully what was conveyed in the activity that lasted for 3 days can be input for ASEAN in dealing with the post-Covid-19 pandemic conditions as well as strengthening collaboration between researchers in Southeast Asia to solve other ASEAN problems in the future,” said the Secretary of Universitas Indonesia, dr. Agustin Kusumayati, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Regarding efforts to create economic resilience and health security after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of Indonesia has collaborated with the community, one of which is through a vaccination program. Representative of the Presidential Staff Office, Dr. dr. Brian Prahastuti, MPH, said that this program received support from the community through corporations and communities that encouraged vaccination through the opening of vaccination sites. This step has successfully made vaccination in Indonesia exceed the percentage of immunity, including the provision of a second booster vaccination to health workers.
On the first day, the conference discussed stability, recovery, and mitigation systems after the Covid-19 pandemic in ASEAN. The three topics discussed by the resource persons include “Global Health Architecture to Strengthen Health System Post Covid-19”; “Digital Technology Key to Support Thailand’s Recovery from Covid-19”; and “National University of Singapore’s Response to Covid-19, 2020-2022”.
On the second day, this conference discussed topics related to plans and strategies for recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic which was divided into three symposiums with the topics: “ASEAN Requirements on Sharing Electronic Health Records”; “Health Technology and Industry for Health Resilience”; and “Developing Health and Safety Promoting Tourism in ASEAN for the Promotion of Sustainable Prosperity”.
The third day discussed strengthening basic health services to support healthy and productive tourism, as well as the recovery of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for sustainable welfare growth. In this session, two main topics were discussed, namely “Strategies and Plans for Tourism and Small and Medium Scale Economic Sustainability Post Covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia” and “Tourism Best Practices in Post Covid-19 Pandemic in Vietnam”.
