BSN STUDENTS AND FACULTY JOIN INT’L SUMMER COURSE ON DISASTER IN INDONESIA
September 5, 2025
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In response to the growing environmental and social impacts of disasters in the Indo-Pacific region, 33 Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (BSMT) students and 30 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students from the School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (SNAHS) of St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP) joined the International Summer Course 2025 hosted by the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) in Semarang, Indonesia, from August 11 to September 4, 2025. Co-hosted by SNAHS, the program brought together 164 allied health students from the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, China, Malaysia, and Pakistan in a blended format that combined online learning with onsite academic and cultural engagements under the theme “Disaster Behavioral Health in Preventing Disaster-Related Social Issues.”
The course began with online modules introducing disaster-related behavioral health concepts, followed by onsite lectures, live demonstrations, and field visits led by experts in disaster management, behavioral health, and public health. SNAHS faculty members contributed significantly by presenting Philippine best practices in disaster preparedness and health service delivery. Among them, Mr. Sherwin Pazzibugan, MSN, highlighted essential public health services and student-led initiatives, while Ms. Therese Marie Battung, MSN, and Ms. Jessica Lauren Poquiz, MSN, shared insights on national disaster management strategies. Complementing these, Dr. Josephine D. Lorica delivered a virtual lecture on maintaining essential health care in evacuation settings.
SNAHS students and faculty also engaged in international collaboration through hospital and laboratory tours, curriculum sharing, and intercultural exchange activities. These experiences allowed SPUP to showcase its BSN program while learning from Indonesia’s health care and research practices. Students likewise distinguished themselves during the course: Juan Miguel Canapi (BSN 3) was named Top Scorer, Harvey Calimag (BSN 5) was voted Favorite Delegate, and the cohort won Best Cultural Presentation for their performance blending traditional and contemporary Filipino music and dance.
Beyond classroom learning, participants joined disaster drills, community service projects in Magelang, and a study visit to a post-disaster site in Yogyakarta, deepening their understanding of disaster response and rehabilitation. Case study analyses further honed their problem-solving skills, while cultural tours in Semarang enriched their appreciation of Indonesian heritage. Through this global engagement, SNAHS reaffirmed its commitment to advancing health education, strengthening public health interventions, and contributing to the promotion of global health resilience.
