The 12th International Graduate Student and Scholars Conference in Indonesia (IGSSCI), held on 4th–5th November 2025 at the Graduate School Auditorium of Universitas Gadjah Mada. It continued with a panel discussion session after the lunch break. The discussion was moderated by Ahmad Suparmin, S.P., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D.
The first session featured Prof. Josaphat Tetuko from Japan, an expert in space technology and remote sensing who currently serves as the Chief of the Environmental Department at Chiba University. In his presentation titled Establishment of an Interdisciplinary Hub for AI Disaster Mitigation and Sustainability, Prof. Josaphat emphasized the importance of establishing a cross-disciplinary collaboration hub to integrate artificial intelligence, environmental science, and public policy in efforts toward disaster mitigation and strengthening sustainability. He explained that the use of AI and big data can support precision agriculture, natural resource management, and climate-adaptive food systems.
According to Prof. Josaphat system resilience is measured by the ability to face disasters and also by the capacity for sustainable adaptation to global challenges. The science-based approaches and cross-sector collaboration made agricultural systems can be developed to be more efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly. He encouraged the scientific community and policymakers to work together to build smart and inclusive agricultural systems capable of responding to future climate challenges.
The discussion then continued with Panel 2, which raised the theme Energy Transition and Environmental Sustainability. This panel examined social dynamics in the development of geothermal energy and mitigation strategies to ensure that the green energy transition proceeds in a balanced manner and is accepted by society. Speakers presented several case studies illustrating how one-way mitigation strategies often exacerbate social polarization. A lack of public dialogue and community involvement has led to distrust toward energy projects.
The panel also highlighted differences in perspectives between the government—which emphasizes energy security and economic growth—and local communities, who demand respect for cultural values, religious beliefs, and ancestral land rights. The panel concluded that the success of the green energy transition greatly depends on community participation and social justice at every stage of policymaking. Open dialogue, meaningful public consultation, and respect for local wisdom are keys to achieving inclusive and socially accepted sustainable energy development.
The next discussion session featured Prof. Dr. Zullies Ekawati, Apt., an expert in pharmacy and pharmacovigilance. In her presentation, Prof. Zullies discussed the development of pharmacovigilance as a crucial pillar in ensuring drug safety, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. She emphasized that every medication has the potential to cause side effects, thus requiring continuous monitoring systems. Based on global data, more than 134 million cases of adverse drug reactions occur annually, with around 2.6 million resulting in fatalities. Prof. Zullies highlighted the importance of learning from the Thalidomide tragedy in West Germany in the 1950s, which caused thousands of babies to be born with disabilities. This event prompted the establishment of global drug safety monitoring systems. In the modern context, the concept of Ecopharmacovigilance (EPV) has been developed to monitor the environmental impact of pharmaceutical residues and prevent antimicrobial resistance.
She stressed that pharmacovigilance is not merely a technical mechanism but also an instrument of social justice and sustainable health. A transparent drug-monitoring system can build public trust, ensure access to safe medications, and strengthen the resilience of health systems. Prof. Zullies concluded with the message that drug safety is a humanitarian responsibility that must be upheld for the health of humans, environmental preservation, and global social welfare.
The final panel featured Prof. Bandana Saini from Australia, an expert in public health, ecological resilience, and well-being. In her presentation titled Public Health, Eco-Resilience, and Well-being, Prof. Bandana highlighted the importance of robust and sustainable health systems as the foundation for global well-being. She explained that in Australia, more than 61% of the population lives with at least one chronic condition, and 90% of deaths are related to such diseases, requiring integrated services between routine and emergency care. She presented the structure of community pharmacies in Australia, consisting of more than 5,700 pharmacies with 444 million patient visits annually. Pharmacists play active roles in medication provision, vaccination, disease screening, and health education. Prof. Bandana emphasized the importance of evidence-based research in developing pharmacy services, including sleep-disorder screening and nationally implemented asthma-management programs. Concluding her session, Prof. Bandana conveyed that health resilience relies not only on medical facilities but also on supportive social and environmental ecosystems. The cross-sector collaboration, empowerment of healthcare workers, and continuous research, health systems can become more adaptive to future challenges and strengthen overall societal well-being.
The series of panel discussions on the first day of Session 1 illustrated the spirit of collaboration of science, technology, and public policy in building sustainable global resilience. Each speaker contributed perspectives that enriched participants’ understanding of the importance of multidisciplinary integration in responding to a rapidly evolving world.
This activity is also aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Authors: Arni, Ninda
Editor: Ana Anggraini