AUN-HPN Shared Good Health Promotion Practices at the Global Health Congress in Japan

Following from the ASEAN University Network Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) International Advisory Committee 2023 Meeting, the network was also invited to share good practices and the Healthy University Rating System (HURS) in a symposium at the Global Health Congress (GHC) 2023 in Japan. In this session, universities that have achieved 5 or 4 stars through HURS were invited to share some of their good practices that helped them achieve such high ratings. The audience to their presentations included  interested health practitioners, experts, and university staff from Japan who were able to attend the symposium. 

Achieving a rating of 5 or 4 stars in HURS is considered a remarkable achievement as it requires a very high standard of healthy practices within the institutions. In terms of assessment,  HURS brings attention to three health promotion areas: 1.) Systems and Infrastructure, 2.) Zero Tolerance Areas and 3.) Health Promotion Areas with a total of 42 questions that require valid data and evidence to be registered by the university for systematic rating. From the latest HURS 2022 application round, out of 21 applying universities, only 3 have managed to achieve a 5 star rating.

The following six AUN-HPN member universities shared their good practices at GHC 2023:

1. Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)

 

Presented by Prof. Yayi Suryo Prabandari, Chair of Health Promoting University, Universitas Gadjah Mada

One of the three universities that have achieved a 5 star rating, their main strategy comes from the establishment of their Health Promoting University (HPU) programme. The development of HPU started with assigning a person in charge, recruiting student ambassadors, and hiring psychologists for every faculty. With each element well established in every faculty, all students and staff are well informed of healthy practices with health related services available, if necessary.

2. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Presented by Dr. Roslee Rajikan, Pro Vice Chancellor - Strategy and Corporate Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

The success of UKM in achieving 5 stars in HURS and providing an exceptionally healthy ecosystem is owed to the crafting of a workflow that aligns with the HURS. For the purpose of effectively utilizing HURS to assess the university’s health promotion, UKM has created the Strategy Center which handles and manages the data that is required for HURS submission. This allows for effective data management that can also be used to compare with the standards of HURS which greatly helps UKM in diagnosing what areas need improvement.

3. Burapha University (BU)

Presented by Dr. Wethaka Klinwichit, Associated Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Burapha University

BU, as one of the few universities that achieved an excellent 4 star rating, shared 5 best practices that have contributed to building a healthy university, including:

1. Focusing on the People and providing Societal Contributions in Health Promotion.
2. Starting strong with UI GreenMetric and BUU Sustainability before using HURS.
3. Using HURS criteria to analyze the gaps and plan for development and improvement of health promotion.
4. The driving force after the COVID-19 outbreak has made people alert and paying more attention to prevention and health promotion.
5. Developing a systematic data and information collection for health promotion.

4. Chulalongkorn University (CU)

Presented by Dr. Santhiti Dahlan, M.D., Director of Chulalongkorn University, Health Service Center

CU is also one of the few that have managed to achieve a great 4 star rating in HURS. The key to having an excellent healthy university for CU is providing a strong presence for health promotion. Their health university centers continue to have continuous improvements for 15 years and counting, with a unit that has been built specifically for health promotion among staff and students. CU also provides an abundance of activities that promote health in multitudes of ways. There are activities for physical exercise, health checkups, and even relaxing activities for the sole purpose of reducing stress which improves mental health as well. Chula Care is also a service that provides psychological counseling services and mental health services for staff.

5. King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)

Presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chawin Chantharasenawong, Vice President for Internationalization, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi

KMUTT’s road to achieving 4 stars is a unique case. Being a technology-focused institution, KMUTT never had a dedicated faculty or unit that handled health related issues. However, this changed in 2011 with the Announcement on Energy Environment Safety and Health Policy. Originally starting with green energy and safety concerns, such initiatives brought forward many more others that are now health focused in KMUTT campus. Now, there are student leadership programmes aimed towards promoting energy and environment sustainability, health, and safety to improve quality of life in communities.

6. Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR)

Presented by Dr. Sri Widati, Head of Airlangga Health Promotion Center, Universitas Airlangga

UNAIR’s beautiful green environment and strong health promotion policies were significantly influential in the university;s earning of a great 4 star rating with HURS. The Airlangga Health Promotion Center (APHC) has been responsible for ensuring the campus has a healthy infrastructure, surrounded by plenty of greenery and nature. UNAIR also provided plenty of Health Promotion Education both offline and online for staff and students. HURS’ Zero Tolerance Areas are also heavily enforced with many clear signage and trained officers promoting and regulating the banning of smoking, gambling, drugs, alcohol, bullying, sexual harassment, and poor road safety habits.

The sharing of good practices by HURS university alumni at GHC2023 provided a great platform for AUN-HPN and its partnering institutions to raise cross-regional awareness towards the network’s activities and developments. It also served as a great opportunity for leading universities in ASEAN health promotion to exchange knowledge and good practices, and nurture potential collaborations with their counterparts and external organizations outside of Southeast Asia.

For recent developments in AUN-HPN, please refer to the list below:

• AUN-HPN’s 8th International Advisory Committee Shared Best Practices and Acknowledged Growing Mental Health Concerns
• The MOU Signing Ceremonies from the 3rd AUN International Health Promotion Conference
• 3rd AUN International Health Promotion Conference highlighted actions towards Mental Health Issues and Well-being in ASEAN Universities
• ASEAN Universities Shared Health Promotion Progress and Success Stories at the 7th AUN-HPN International Advisory Committee Meeting