On the third day, the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD) organized health-focused workshops and community outreach activities at various locations in Timor Leste, namely in An-Nur Community, a local hub for Islamic education, ISC Community. These sessions aimed to educate and empower local communities and university students with essential knowledge in dental care, women’s health, and the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. By bringing together international expertise and local engagement, the event demonstrated the significance of global collaboration, aligning with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive and collaborative partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals.

First Session: An-Nur Community

The first session occurred at the An-Nur community center, a local hub for Islamic education led by Muhammad Anwar Da Costa. The An-Nur Foundation focuses on educating orphans and underprivileged individuals, emphasizing the spirit of learning within the community. During this session, 15 children and 15 mothers participated in workshops to improve dental and women’s health.

Dental Health Education

Prof. Dr. Retno Indrawati Roestamadji, drg., M.Si., from Universitas Airlangga, led a hands-on workshop on dental health education. The session included dental examinations and provided valuable guidance on maintaining oral hygiene to prevent common dental issues. Following this, Dr. Prihartini Widiyanti, drg., M.Kes., S.Bio., presented the latest advancements in dental tissue engineering, offering insights into cutting-edge techniques to improve dental care in the community. This session aimed to enhance oral health awareness, contributing to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which promotes healthy lives and well-being for all.

Cervical Cancer Education

For the mothers and women of An-Nur, Ms. Rize Budi Amalia, S.Keb., Bd., M.Kes., from Universitas Airlangga, provided education on cervical cancer prevention, introducing VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid), a low-cost screening method vital for early detection in low-resource settings. This initiative aimed to equip participants with the knowledge of preventive healthcare and the importance of regular screenings. This also aligned with SDG 3 by promoting access to affordable health services and preventive care for all women, especially in underserved communities.

By hosting these workshops, WUACD demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in improving healthcare in marginalized communities. This collaboration perfectly illustrates the essence of SDG 17, fostering partnerships between institutions across borders to deliver impactful results.

Second Session: ISC Community and UNTL Faculty of Health Sciences

In the second session, WUACD extended its health education efforts to the Instituto Superior Cristal (ISC) Elementary School and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL). Additionally, ISC is an institution that, over 13 years, has played a role in improving the nation’s quality by preparing students to become competent teachers and educators. ISC, as an educational institution, never stops improving the quality of academic and non-academic education to produce graduates with high competence and high competitiveness, which will contribute to the development of Timor Leste. Therefore, the joint WUACD agenda can enhance the ISC agenda, which will significantly benefit the development of communities in Timor Leste.

This session featured workshops and expert presentations focusing on dental health education and the latest advances in dental tissue techniques. During this session, there was a dental screening program for students from ISC Elementary School, which is expected to raise awareness about dental health. These activities will significantly improve dental health knowledge, which can substantially contribute to developing the ISC Community and UNTL students.

Dental Health and Tissue Engineering Update

Similar to the first session, Prof. Dr. Retno Indrawati Roestamadji and Dr. Prihartini Widiyanti led a workshop at ISC Elementary School, focusing on dental health education and the latest advancements in dental tissue engineering. These sessions aimed to instill healthy habits in children from an early age and provide the broader community access to the latest innovations in dental care, further contributing to SDG 3 by promoting preventive health education for young children.

AI in Healthcare and Women’s Health Education at UNTL

At UNTL, students from the Faculty of Health Sciences participated in a lecture series that focused on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and healthcare. Prof. Dr. Aziz Rahman from Federation University delivered an insightful session on how AI can revolutionize healthcare by improving diagnostic accuracy, enhancing patient care, and optimizing resource management. This session was particularly relevant to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as it highlighted the role of technological innovation in building resilient healthcare systems.

Additionally, Ms. Rize Budi Amalia, S.Keb., Bd., M.Kes. presented a comprehensive lecture on women’s health, emphasizing the importance of regular health check-ups and the role of technology in improving women’s health outcomes. This reinforced the commitment to SDG 3, advocating for better health systems and care accessibility for women.

Through these collaborative efforts, WUACD and Universitas Airlangga showcased the power of cross-border cooperation, reflecting the importance of SDG 17 in enhancing healthcare systems through knowledge sharing and expertise. The health-focused workshops and community outreach conducted by WUACD in Timor Leste were instrumental in raising awareness about preventive healthcare and modern medical innovations. By engaging local communities and university students, these sessions contributed to building a healthier future for Timor Leste. This initiative not only helped elevate the healthcare knowledge of local communities but also underscored the significance of working together to achieve the broader goals of sustainable health development in health, education, and innovation.