Semarang, September 18, 2025 − Four students from the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Diponegoro (FPH UNDIP), specializing in Epidemiology of Tropical Diseases and Health Entomology, have successfully completed the Student Goes International (SGI) International MBKM Internship at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, from August 4 to September 2, 2025. The program focused on Vector Borne Disease and Control through a series of laboratory activities, field practices, and research projects involving bioassays, vector identification, and molecular techniques such as DNA extraction.
During the internship, the students participated in an innovative research project evaluating the effectiveness of sugar-based hydrogel bait against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the primary vectors of dengue fever. The project required not only technical skills but also critical analysis of field and laboratory data, enabling the students to gain deeper insights into scientific research and its applications in vector control.
The program was conducted under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nur Faeza Abu Kassim and supervisor Ranjitha Sambanthan, who provided comprehensive guidance from project design to final presentation. This internship enriched the students’ academic competencies, strengthened their scientific communication, and expanded international collaboration between Diponegoro University and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
This initiative is one of the World Class University (WCU)’s program of FPH UNDIP that expected to contribute the global efforts in vector-borne disease control and serve as a strategic step in supporting UNDIP’s vision of becoming the World Class University.