Cenderawasih University (Uncen) Vice Rector IV for Cooperation Fredrik Sokoy explained in Wamena, Papua, on Sunday that there is a need for consolidation with the Jayawijaya District Government in Papua Pegunungan.
"Regarding the request (from the Jayawijaya District Government) to open a branch of Cenderawasih University's Faculty of Medicine, we will consolidate it because it is about the time when we can do that," he explained.
The opening of a Faculty of Medicine branch can only be realized when Uncen has improved the education system there.
He pointed out that one of the issues is related to many medical students of Cenderawasih University who have learned the theory but have not yet practiced it.
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"If it (practice or koas, an apprenticeship for medical students to achieve a doctor's title) is carried out, then the number of students will decrease. This vacancy of students will make it easier for us to open a branch," he said.
Furthermore, Sokoy stated that it is possible to open other faculties such as the Faculty of Engineering that has been carried out by the Biak Numfor District.
"We need to monitor this because we cannot neglect the regional needs," he said.
Earlier, Jayawijaya District Head Jhon Richard Banua admitted that he had asked Cenderawasih University to open a Faculty of Medicine in the Papua Pegunungan Province because medical personnel is urgently needed in serving the community.
Papua Pegunungan, the only landlocked province in Indonesia, borders Papua New Guinea in the east, and was established on June 30, 2022, under the Papua New Autonomous Region (DOB) bill.
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Translator: Marius Y, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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