Yogyakarta, Indonesia – The Implementation Science Leadership Fellowship Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FKKMK) Universitas Gadjah Mada, is supported by the WHO-TDR. Its first series of workshops successfully delivered the Implementation Research from 19 May to 4 June 2025. This workshop was organized and facilitated by the South East Asia Regional Training Center for Health Research, Center for Tropical Medicine, FKKMK. This hybrid-format event brought together experienced facilitators and passionate fellows from multiple countries to strengthen the understanding and application of Implementation Research (IR) in real-world health settings. The workshop was designed to help participants not just learn about IR theory, but also practice it through hands-on activities, case studies, and peer discussions.
The program began with an online orientation on 19 May 2025, where participants were introduced to the objectives, learning pathway, and expectations of the workshop. This session also served to connect fellows and facilitators, laying the foundation for a collaborative learning environment. From 19 to 30 May 2025, participants engaged in self-paced learning through the Learning Management System (LMS) of the Center for Tropical Medicine, which acts as the Regional Training Center (RTC) for TDR. The curated learning modules covered fundamental IR concepts, study designs, data collection and analysis methods, and strategies for engaging stakeholders. The highlight of the program took place during the in-person sessions on 3–4 June 2025 at Artotel Suites Bianti, Yogyakarta, where fellows gathered for intensive discussions, group work, and case presentations, allowing them to clarify concepts, share experiences from their own countries, and receive direct feedback from expert facilitators.
The workshop was guided by renowned facilitators including dr. Ardhina Ramania, MPH, Prof. dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc., Ph.D., dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, MPH., Ph.D., Prof. dr. Ari N. Probandari, MPH., Ph.D., Prof. dr. E. Elsa Herdiana Murhandarwati, M.Kes., Ph.D., and Dr. Dra. Retna Siwi Padmawati, MA. These experts brought decades of combined experience in implementation research, public health, epidemiology, and health policy, ensuring that participants received both academic rigor and practical insights. The fellowship cohort reflected the international reach of the program, with representatives such as Rhondemo A. Kikon from India, Dina Arisonaningtyas from Indonesia, and Monjurul Karim. This diversity enriched the discussions, as participants shared context-specific challenges and strategies from their respective health systems.
The Implementation Science Leadership Fellowship Program at FKKMK UGM aligns strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by fostering research that directly supports the delivery of equitable, effective, and sustainable health services. It also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by connecting researchers, practitioners, and institutions across countries to share knowledge, build capacity, and drive collective progress. By the conclusion of the workshop, participants had not only gained technical knowledge but also strengthened professional networks that will support future collaborations. As one facilitator summarized, “Implementation Research is not just about knowing what works, but about ensuring that it works for the people who need it most, in the places where it matters the most.”
Writer: Fikri Wahiddinsyah