The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) received a visit from two Medical Physics lecturers from the Department of Nuclear Science, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, namely Prof. Dr. Jeyasingam Jeyasugiththan and Dr. Duminda Malith Satharasingh. This activity took place for two weeks, from July 14 to 25, 2025, as part of a benchmarking program in an international project facilitated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The two academics were welcomed by the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (UI), Prof. Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., and the faculty leadership. The visit was part of an IAEA project focused on radiation dose management in diagnostic radiology in Sri Lanka. On the recommendation of the IAEA, FMIPA UI was selected as the reference institution because it is considered a model for the development of Medical Physics and the Medical Physics profession among fellow universities.
“The Medical Physics education system we developed is the result of synergy between the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN), and the Indonesian medical physics community, using an international curriculum model. This visit demonstrates the importance of international collaboration in improving the quality of global healthcare services,” said Prof. Dede in his remarks.
During the visit, Sri Lankan lecturers benchmarked various aspects of Medical Physics development, from educational curricula and training programs to the professional roles of medical physicists. This is crucial considering that Sri Lanka currently has only around 50 active medical physicists, far below Indonesia, which has over 900 active medical physicists.
“More than just academic and professional values, what truly inspires me is the commitment and hard work of FMIPA UI in advancing the medical physics profession in Indonesia,” said Dr. Duminda. He also added that his experience at FMIPA UI provided concrete guidance in strengthening a similar profession in his country.
The visit agenda included a discussion of the medical physics curriculum, technical training, and a presentation from the Chairman of the Indonesian Medical Physicists Alliance (AFISMI), Dr. Lukmanda Evan Lubis, M.Si., F.Med. The participants also visited the medical physics laboratory at the Department of Physics, FMIPA UI and the University of Indonesia Hospital to discuss patient dose management, which was welcomed by the Director of Medical and Nursing Services, Prof. Dr. dr. Rakhmad Hidayat, Sp.N., Subsp. NIIOO(K)., MARS.
Also present were two BAPETEN staff members, alumni of the Master of Physics Program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (UI): Sawiyah, M.Sc., from the Directorate of Radiation Facilities and Radioactive Materials Regulations, and Syaifulloh, M.Sc., from the Directorate of Radiation and Radioactive Facilities Licensing. Both presented BAPETEN’s oversight system for strengthening nuclear energy regulations in the health sector.
Through this activity, it is hoped that there will be an exchange of knowledge that will strengthen international cooperation in the field of medical physics and support the improvement of the quality of education and services in diagnostic and interventional radiology, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine, especially in Sri Lanka.
