Yogyakarta-15 students from 13 countries followed the International Medical Summer School program (ITMSS) organized by the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing (FKIK) in Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY). They came from Canada, Italy, France, United Kingdom, South Korea, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland, and Germany. This ITMSS program has also become an annual program organized by FKIK in UMY and has been running for 10 times. In this session, the committee continued the previous session in taking the main theme of handling and learning about tropical diseases.

Prof. Dr. Bambang Cipto, MA as UMY Rector, in his speech, said that most of participants coming from the European countries, through this International Summer School, can interact and be able to understand the rare tropical disease in the country, such as Malaria and Dengue Fever and can recognize indigenous cultures of Indonesia, especially Yogyakarta. This statement was explained by the rector after opening the program conducted by ITMSS 10th with the theme "Tropical Medical and Culture", and was held at the Convention Hall of Asri Medical Center (AMC) in Yogyakarta on Monday (30/7) at 19:00 pm.

Meanwhile, Eva Mozmica, participant from Poland, shared that these activities were very beneficial to her. After she and her friends attended the lectures of theory and practice in UMY for 16 days, she admitted that she finally found better understanding about the course material about tropical diseases she learned in her campus in Poland. "I think the event is very beneficial for me. And I think, other friends also feel the same. We are here to attend a course and also practice on tropical diseases in UMY for 16 days. I further understand about my theory I learn in my college about the tropical diseases, "she said in the interview at the end of the Opening Ceremony of ITMSS event.

Nikma Kurnianingtyas Bekti, as chairman of the program committee, revealed that in addition to the lectures in UMY, the ITMSS participants also did several tours in Yogyakarta. This tour was done to introduce Indonesian culture and Yogyakarta to the participants. "We give them a lecture in a special class to follow the concept of the program. In addition, we also put a program of cultural activities. This is to introduce Indonesian culture especially Yogyakarta to them, the various characterizations of the Indonesian people, and also at the same time introduce the historical sites and culture in Yogyakarta, "said the student of 6th semesters of Faculty of Medicine of UMY. (Shidqi) (mac)

Tags: Muhammadiyah, Education, Health, Tropical Desease, International Medical Summer School, UMY, Yogyakarta