Prof. Dr. Dra. Taniawati Supali, Professor of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (FKUI), received the Bosscha Medal award from Leiden-Delft-Erasmus (LDE) Universities for her outstanding contribution to science, community empowerment, international collaboration, and knowledge sharing. The award was given at the opening ceremony of the BRIN-LDE Academy organized by National Research and Innovation Agency and Leiden-Delft-Erasmus University (BRIN-LDE Academy) in Serpong, South Tangerang, on Monday (31/10).
This year, the LDE inaugurated Bosscha Medal award for researchers nominated by professors from each university. Prof. Taniawati’s nominator for this award was Prof. Maria Yazdanbaksh from Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).
Prof. Taniawati expressed her pleasure and pride that the cooperation which has been established for more than 30 years with Prof. Dr. Maria Yazdanbakhsh from LUMC has been appreciated. “Finally, I take a quote from Helen Keller which says ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much‘. This collaboration has been conducted because of the contributions of many people, both from Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Indonesia and from Leiden University Medical Center. Thank you for that,” said Prof. Tania.
Prof. Taniawati is a professor of Parasitology at FKUI who has expertise in filariasis and helminthiasis. From several researches that have been conducted, Prof. Taniawati has won various awards for her research programs and efforts in reducing the number of filariasis (elephantiasis) diseases in Indonesia. One of which is from Bill Melinda Gate Foundation (BMGF). At the national level, Prof. Taniawati is a member of Task Force for Lymphatic Filariasis Program affiliated with World Health Organization (WHO).
Through her scientific capacity, Prof. Taniawati has conducted other researches, such as research on changes in disease patterns from infectious diseases (elimination of worms infection, filariasis, malaria) to non-communicable diseases that are currently being experienced by many countries including Indonesia. In addition, she was also able to collect scientific data on several groups of diseases from neglected populations as a form of contribution to the advancement of public health in remote areas in Indonesia.
The award was given directly by Dean of Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities Prof. Dr. Wim van den Doel. The award was represented by Dr. Yenny Djuardi, Ph.D, a lecturer at Department of Parasitology FKUI . “I really appreciate Prof. Dr. Wim van den Doel for choosing me to receive this award. This award certainly symbolizes the long-lasting collaboration between my team from FKUI and Prof. Dr. Maria Yazdanbakhsh from LUMC,” said Prof. Taniawati.
“On this occasion I would also like to thank Prof. Maria and Dean of FKUI Prof. Dr. dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, as well as Head of Department of Parasitology FKUI Dr. dr. Anna Rozaliyani, M. Biomed., Sp.P (K) for the support so far. I would not forget to thank the team who have worked hard and for their dedication in realizing this collaboration. Finally, I thank my family who always support my career, ” she said again.
The partnership between FKUI and LUMC began in 1989. At that time, Prof. Dr. Dra. Taniawati Supali and Prof. Dr. Maria Yazdanbakhsh (Professor of LUMC and Adjunct Professor of FKUI ) conducted research collaboration for the first time in Sumatra. This partnership resulted in many researches in various regions in Indonesia. In addition, the partnership between FKUI and LUMC also expanded with the student exchange program between the two institutions.
Dean of FKUI Prof. Dr. dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, Sp.PD-KGEH, MMB., was also present at the award presentation. He said, “I representing the big family of FKUI would like to congratulate Prof. Taniawati Supali for the Boscha Medal she won. This achievement, of course, complements the numerous awards she has received for her dedication and service in the field of research on parasitic diseases, especially elephantiasis in Indonesia. I hope that this achievement can inspire the entire FKUI community to continue to have a positive impact on the progress of health in Indonesia and the world.”
