International Veterinary Students Association, or commonly abbreviated IVSA is the biggest international organization of veterinary students all over the world, that has more than 30,000 active members from many chapters. IVSA Indonesia (Locally known as IMAKAHI) itself has international events that regularly held every year. This activity aims to introduce IMAKAHI to global IVSA and other IVSA chapters, as well as a forum to exchange ideas and increase knowledge for veterinary students from various countries. This year, for the many times IVSA Indonesia hold an international event, this year IVSA Indonesia held "Event Week". This event was held in Yogyakarta and Bali from the date of February 1, 2016 until February 8, 2016. IVSA Indonesia / IMAKAHI has been preparing for this event very well for six month. Organizing Committee (OC) of the event amounted to 7 people, chaired by Fendy Fadillah Akbar from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta.

 

Not less than 37 delegates from 17 universities and 9 different countries involved in IVSA Indonesia Event Week 2016. The theme used for this program is "Tropical Disease" which was taken by many diseases that exist only in Indonesia as a tropical country. On the other hand, Indonesia is a country rich in its nature and its diversity of wildlife. The OC here are trying to help fellow comrades of veterinary students from various countries to have a better understanding of diseases in the tropics.

 

1st Februari 2016

IVSA Indonesia Event Week began with picking up delegates at AdiSucipto airport, Yogyakarta. The OCs were excited to welcome all of delegates. At night, the event was started with the opening ceremony by cutting Tumpeng and indulging Indonesian traditional cuisine which is normally served for such big event, in the ballroom of @HOM Platinum Gowongan Hotel, Yogyakarta.

 

2nd February 2016

On the second day after breakfast, OC and all delegates headed to  Gadjah Mada University (UGM) for lectures and several workshops. Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of UGM was welcoming the delegates in the campus. We started this activity with a welcoming speech from Dean of the Faculty before the speech by the chair person of this Event Week. The dean welcomed all delegates to Yogyakarta. According to him, this sort of event is great for establishing relationships between colleagues of veterinary students around the world, and he also advised us to always maintain the relationship among the delegates, even after the event is over.

After that, we had the first lecture about "Common Microbiology Disease in Tropical Countries", then proceed to the lecture about "Avian Influenza in Indonesia", and a lecture on "Common Parasitic Diseases in Tropical Countries". After the lectures, we had a lunch break before the faculty tour. The delegates were divided into several groups to see the campus facilities. Some staffs of laboratories, teaching farm and animal hospital also gave some explanation on how learning process is done in the campus. The next program was a workshop on "Handling, Restrain, Necropsy Exotic Animal". Delegates were very enthusiastic to learn new knowledge from the experts. They were taught how to handle venomous and non-venomous snakes, and how to catch and handle the birds properly. After that, the delegates did necropsy on snakes, turtles, and pigeons.

Today's event ended with  dinner at the House of Raminten. Traditional Indonesian food such as ayam geprek and sambal were served for the delegates for them to experience the local taste.

 

3rd February, 2016

On the third day, we headed to the Diseases Investigation Center in Wates, Yogyakarta. When we arrived, we were greeted very warmly by the veterinarians and the employees who worked there. First, we attended a presentation about the researches done here and the standard procedures needed for a new research, by a veterinarian. They also gave us a lecture about Anthrax and Brucellosis disease, based on field cases in Indonesia. After the presentations, delegates were invited to tour around the laboratories. Here they were given chance to learn how to operate some of the equipment in the laboratories.

 

Our next agenda was lunch break and batik workshop. During the batik workshop, delegates were taught how to make batik by themselves and they really enjoyed their first experience of making their own batik, as batik is a precious art of Indonesia that can rarely be found in other country. Each delegate was given a piece of cloth that has basic image motif to be coloured, then they had an opportunity to make their own batik.

We then went back to the faculty to proceed to the next activity – the Game Session. The OC was helped by the LC from the veterinary medicine faculty and made 6 stations which must be got through by the delegates that were divided into several groups. Each group had to have agility, creativity as well as full cooperation from all the members to be able to win the game. The list of games included taking a coin from papaya fruit which has been smeared with coffee, placing bran over the head using a tray, saving candles from the opponent's attack and many more. After the tiring and fun games, we returned to the hotel to have dinner followed by a cultural night. Delegates attended the cultural night where each country is given a stand to present a wide variety of food and knick knacks from their own country. The participants also presented themselves in their respective traditional costumes. Typical performance of each country was performed by the delegates. Harmony filled the atmosphere when everyone enjoyed each other’s food, performance and spirit.

 

4th February, 2016

We left the hotel at 08:00 am to Borobudur temple. The participants enjoyed the natural beauty of Indonesia, especially the warm air as it was winter time in most other countries. We were nourished with historical stories about Borobudur Temple by the tour guide. A group photo was taken in front of the temple before we leave. After visiting Borobudur temple, we went for rafting in Citra Elo River. Delegates were very excited because it was the first time for some of the delegates. Before rafting, we were taught in advanced on how to raft correctly and safely. The rafting finished around 4 pm. After eating, we returned to the hotel. Despite being tired, the delegates were still looking forward to the next activity. We had a gathering with Yogyakarta Tourism Ambassadors. The delegates were given a lot of info regarding Yogyakarta, especially about the traditional costume worn by Dimas Diajeng Yogyakarta. Delegates also got a chance to wear the traditional costume of Yogyakarta.

 

5th February, 2016

Early morning, we departed to Bali from Yogyakarta by flight. When we arrived in Bali, we went straight to the Pandawa Beach. The delegates were very happy, even though the weather was a little cloudy but it did not decrease the spirit of the delegates to have fun at the beach and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The delegates spent their time at the beach with activities such as canoeing, relaxing, talking to their friends, having a fresh coconut and taking memorable photos. After Pandawa beach, we went to the Bliss Surfer Hotel which is located in Legian area. Then, we checked-in to our rooms and then delegates had their free-time.

 

6th February, 2016

On this sunny morning, we headed to the Udayana University to have a lecture about Jembrana Disease. Jembrana disease is a unique disease that only found in Indonesia and only infect Balinese cattle. It was first discovered in Jembrana, Bali, thus the name. We were greeted warmly by the Dean and Local Committee of Udayana University. After the welcoming speech, the lecture began. Delegates were curious because they have never heard about Jembrana disease. A tour was given to the delegates around the Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Udayana University. A group photo was taken in front of the campus before leaving the university.

 

Then, we headed to Tanjung Benoa. This is one of the most exciting activity that the participants were looking forward to, as they would be able to play various kind of water sports. There were banana boat ride, jet ski, parasailing, flying donut and many more. Then, we continued to the turtle island. Here, we were able to see a turtle conservation centre. Besides turtles, they also have other animals such as eagles, bats and snakes. After visiting the turtle island, we went to Krishna where the participants could buy some original Balinese souvenirs. We also had Balinese food like betutu, satay rolls etc. for dinner. Then, we went back to the hotel. Soon after a break, we had the typical T-shirt-signing activity where delegates wrote messages and signature on each other’s T-shirt. This was a very sentimental moment as the T-shirt-signing always indicates that the event is ending soon.

 

7th February, 2016.

Today we visited Bali Zoo. In Bali Zoo, we were first welcomed by the beautiful and colorful birds. The nice weather and shady trees in the zoo had made this trip more wonderful. Delegates were given some time to stroll through the zoo. Here, the delegates could enjoy plenty of interesting activities such as bird show and elephant-feeding. We also saw the new baby orangutan that was rescued from forest,  we were allowed to interact with the cute baby. After the tiring yet exciting zoo trip, we continued the journey to the Monkey Forest. Monkey Forest is the biggest monkeys conservation in Bali. Here, the monkeys live in nature like their original habitat. In the Monkey Forest, we were given some presentation by the experts about how the monkeys survive there, how they eat and how they live in their own group. After viewing the presentation, we were invited to walk around the Monkey Forest. There were various Balinese Hindu temples ,and huge and old trees in the Monkey Forest. After a tiring day, it was time for us to get back to the hotel to get ready for the formal dinner.

 

All delegates were very well-dressed for this final activity which was began with speech from Organizing Committee to all delegates. The OC thanked all the delegates and it was really honored to have them here with us. Then the OC distributed the certificate to every single delegate, then delegate gave some speeches to express how they felt during this event. While listening delegate’s impression, we also enjoyed a  tasty dinner specially served by the hotel. This is also a farewell party for us on the last night of the Event Week. The night ended with a group photo of the OC and all the participants. It was sad that some delegates must return to their countries right after the group photo. Other delegates chose to enjoy their last night in Indonesia until midnight by the pool.

 

8th February 2016

Today was the last day of this Event Week. After breakfast, the OC formally closed this event. Most of the delegates immediately return to their own countries and some of delegates choose to stay in Bali and Lombok for a few days.

 

“IVSA Indonesia Event Week 2016" is officially ended. Hopefully this event can benefit IVSA Organization and veterinary students worldwide. Thank you to all those who have participated in this great event. See you again in another event!