Universitas Brawijaya (UB) collaborated with Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) in an emergency disaster response effort in the Sumatra region by deploying a total of 55 volunteers, including a doctoral student from the Medical Sciences Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya (FKUB) dr. Aurick Yudha Nagara, Sp.EM, KPEC . This collaboration represents a strong synergy between higher education institutions in supporting humanitarian efforts and disaster management in Indonesia.
Prior to deployment to the affected areas, all volunteers participated in pre-departure training and briefing sessions. UB provided disaster response orientation, safety management training, basic medical procedures, field communication, and instruction on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Volunteers also received briefings on the latest conditions and potential risks in Agam. The selection process involved verification of competencies, field experience, and physical and mental readiness. Academic staff and administrative personnel were prioritized based on their expertise, while students were selected through assessments of basic capabilities and commitment.
Coordination began with reports from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and a request from the Agam Regency Government through the UB Emergency Disaster Team (EDT) network. Following a needs assessment, UB, EDT, and partner universities agreed to deploy 55 volunteers in response to the urgent demand for medical, logistics, and psychosocial personnel.
This cross-campus collaboration between UB and UMM strengthened the team’s overall capacity, particularly in medical and psychosocial services. The integration of experts and volunteers enabled broader service coverage and a faster response to emergency conditions.
UB plans to support community health recovery, disaster mitigation education, psychosocial strengthening, and collaborative research for long-term reconstruction and community resilience. Universities have a moral and academic responsibility to be actively involved in humanitarian efforts. Active engagement by higher education institutions strengthens disaster mitigation, accelerates recovery, and reaffirms that knowledge must serve society.