BATAM, INDONESIA, 25 August 2026 – The Program Komuniti dan Amal Antarabangsa (PROKOMAAI) 2026 brought together staff, students and volunteers from the USM Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universitas Ibnu Sina (UIS) for a four-day international community service programme held from 22 to 25 August 2026 in Batam, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia.

Organised by the Biomedicine Programme, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Ibnu Sina, and supported by the Malaysian Society for Aromatherapy, Charity and Community (MySACC), the programme was held at Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Ibnu Sina under the theme “We Care, We Show Concern, and We Are Willing to Help for a Sustainable Madani Society.”

The programme aimed to foster volunteerism, compassion, knowledge sharing and international friendship while strengthening Malaysia–Indonesia relations. It also provided health education and community services, while enhancing participants’ communication, leadership, teamwork and programme management skills.

The main community service activities were held on 24 August 2026 at Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Ibnu Sina, involving students, teachers and parents. The programme began with a welcoming address by the Representative of the Vice Rector III of Universitas Ibnu Sina, Associate Professor Dr. Sumardin SE., M.SI, followed by a briefing by Associate Professor Dr. Herdianti, S.KM., M.Kes. An ice-breaking session involving the USM–UIS delegation and the students set the stage for a full day of interactive educational and community activities.

The programme began with a health talk entitled “Heatstroke Threat”, delivered by Dr. Ahmad Faiz Mohamad from Hospital Pakar USM (HPUSM). He and his team also conducted health screenings, including assessments of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and blood glucose levels. This was followed by a Dental Care talk and demonstration, led by Dr. Sarliza Yasmin and her team from the School of Dental Sciences, USM.

The “Clean Hands, Healthy Life” session was subsequently conducted by Mrs. Salwismawati Badrin and her team. This was followed by the “Let’s Make Our Own Soap” talk and video demonstration, delivered by Ts. Dr. Nurhidanatasha Abu Bakar and Dr. Wan Nor Amilah Wan Abdul Wahab. Participants then took part in an interactive language activity entitled “Language Lounge: Say It Right or Get It Wrong”, conducted by Mrs. Nor Rafida Mohd Seni and her team from the USM Language Centre. The afternoon session concluded with an introduction to aromatherapy, social innovation and MySACC, delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Dasuki Sul’ain and Dr. Shuhaila Mat Sharani.

The community service programme concluded with an official closing ceremony attended by representatives from both institutions. The ceremony featured remarks by Dr. Hengky Oktarizal, S.KM., M.KM., Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, UIS, and Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Dasuki Sul’ain, Programme Director of PROKOMAAI 2026. The ceremony also included the presentation of souvenirs to UIS and a charitable donation of RM3,979.00 to Pondok Pesantren Jami'atul 'Ulum Ar-Rahman, represented by Mudir Ustaz Muhamad Yusof.

On 25 August 2026, the USM delegation visited UIS to discuss potential collaborations in research, grants, community service and academic activities. Representatives from the School of Health Sciences (PPSK), School of Medical Sciences (PPSP), School of Dental Sciences (PPSG), USM Language Centre and Hospital Pakar USM (HPUSM) met with their counterparts from UIS to explore opportunities for sustained institutional collaboration. The delegation subsequently returned to Malaysia by ferry, arriving at Pasir Gudang at approximately 4.30 pm Malaysian time.

PROKOMAAI 2026 demonstrated how higher education institutions can extend their expertise beyond the campus through health education and screening, oral health and personal hygiene awareness, language learning, aromatherapy and social innovation. The programme benefited the local community while also enhancing participants’ cultural understanding, interpersonal skills and teamwork.

At the institutional level, the programme strengthened the relationship between USM and UIS and opened opportunities for future collaboration in education, research, community engagement and knowledge sharing. The organising committee was led by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Dasuki Sul’ain as Director and Ts. Dr. Nurhidanatasha Abu Bakar as Deputy Director.

In addition to the PROKOMAAI 2026 activities, the delegation also participated in cultural visits to Masjid Tanwirun Naja (Masjid Tanjak) and Masjid Agung Raja Hamidah (Masjid Agung Batam). The delegation also explored the historical heritage of the Johor–Riau Malay Sultanate through visits to Tanjung Pinang, Pulau Bintan and Pulau Penyengat, including Tasik Biru, Masjid Raya Sultan Riau, the Tombs of the Kings and Queens of Riau-Lingga, Balai Adat Melayu and Bangunan Gonggong. These activities provided participants with a deeper understanding of Malay civilisation, strengthened bonds of kinship between the two neighbouring nations, and fostered greater appreciation of the history and culture of the local community.

Overall, PROKOMAAI 2026 served as a meaningful platform for community service, friendship and institutional collaboration. The programme nurtured a culture of compassion, volunteerism and social responsibility while contributing to stronger and more sustainable Malaysia–Indonesia relations.

Prepared by

Ts. Dr. Nurhidanatasha Abu Bakar/

Dr. Wan Nor Amilah Wan Abdul Wahab

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Dasuki Bin Sul’ain

Biomedicine Programme

Universiti Sains Malaysia