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| Two Thai students studying at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). (Photo: Istimewa) |
Committing to conducting international activities reflects the quality of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). This time, the physiotherapy department of UMM collaborates with Mahidol University, Thailand. One of their collaboration forms is a student exchange program, in which UMM students depart to Thailand and vice versa. Two visiting Thai students are studying at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, while some from the White Campus — the alias of UMM — are also off to the Land of White Elephants.
Interestingly, this program not only improves students’ physiotherapy skills and insights but also equips them to create physiotherapy communities that can educate the general public, including the basic knowledge of physiotherapy. The idea was said by Siti Ainun Ma’rufa, S.Ft., M.Sc, the person in charge of the international program.
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“So the benefits not only are gained by the students departing to Thailand or Indonesia. But also share knowledge with workers working in stagnant positions and rarely moving like batik makers or craftsmen. So they can know how to stretch their muscles, good positioning, etc.” added she.
The woman known as Ainun feels that many people, not only in Thailand but also in Indonesia, still get less than even zero basic knowledge of physiotherapy for physical health. For example, many feel pain in their joints and muscles. Hence, practitioners and students can deepen the study area.
Regarding the activities during the exchange program, she explained that several are mandatory to join: class lectures, observation, and fieldwork practice in both countries’ clinics.
“They’re also directed to counsel various levels of society as training for serving in the community. There will indeed be a language barrier, but many solutions are doable,” she added.
Last but not least, Ainun advised physiotherapy academicians and practitioners to constantly educate society, given that knowledge of physiotherapy studies is less known by the general public. “With that said, they can know the good position to work, the importance of stretching, etc,” ended the PIC of the student exchange program. (imh/faq/wil)
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