Canadian University Projects in International Development Database (CUPID)

Asia

Indonesia

• Community Partnerships and Women's Studies
• Nursing, Women's Health and Community Outreach in Indonesia
• Coastal Zone Eco-Development

Community Partnerships and Women's Studies

Project purpose:
The project aimed to develop the capacity of women's studies specialists in Indonesia, the English-speaking Caribbean and Atlantic Canada to strengthen their community-based research and community development work.

Key results to date:
As a result of the project, the profile of women's studies has improved at each of the participating institutions. The ability of women's studies specialists in the participating institutions to work in their universities and communities has improved, as they have much more knowledge of the international situation for women and can convey this to their students. New materials were developed and are being used in women's studies curricula in all three regions; all materials have been translated into Indonesian. Participating faculty learned a great deal about interactive pedagogic approaches, and the curriculum materials developed by team members reflect a broader range of pedagogic strategies than were in use at the outset of the project. The project also provided new opportunities for participating faculty to become familiar with the people, interests, culture and needs of women's studies specialists in the three regions and to continue to strengthen their capacity to work together successfully.

Coastal Zone Eco-Development

Project purpose:
The project aimed to build the capacity of the Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) in Indonesia in coastal eco-development and sustainable resource use through a close research and education link with McMaster University.

Key results to date:
Capacity for teaching and research in coastal ecology, environmental protection and human health at UNDIP has increased as four junior faculty members have improved their academic qualifications and professional expertise. Up to 30 courses at UNDIP have been improved, and a minimum of 69 research projects were undertaken in areas related to marine ecology, such as reef degradation, coastal erosion, health effects and socioeconomic impacts. Direct and measurable links with more than 29 national and international agencies, such as the World Wildlife Fund, the Ocean Research Institute of Tokyo and the Institute of Marine Geology in Bandung, helped UNDIP improve its reputation in international research and community development in the area of environmental health and coastal zone management. This has led to additional opportunities for research and funding, including increased grants and other funding for student research, environmental impact assessments for various industries and a 25-million rupiah contract from the Indonesian government for research on health management.

Nursing, Women's Health and Community Outreach in Indonesia

Project purpose:
The project aims to strengthen the capacity of the faculty of nursing at the University of Indonesia to develop a comprehensive model for women's and community health services for rural Indonesia and to establish a management and monitoring system to ensure the sustainability and success of women's health projects.

Key results to date:
The skills of four junior faculty members of the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Indonesia have been increased through graduate level training. Two models for community health nursing were also developed. A community health education, practice and research centre has been established in the village of Waru Jaya. Participating partner institution's faculty worked at the centre to supervise the training and clinical field practice of community health nursing students and provided continuing education for the local district midwives, health centre nurses and volunteer community health workers. Four community health demonstration projects were also initiated and evaluated. The results demonstrated, among other things, the effectiveness of nursing intervention programs for the health of mothers and children in the community, led to improvements in mothers' knowledge about diarrhea and acute respiratory infections and lowered the incidence of diarrhea and diarrhea-related dehydration. One of the projects included the active involvement of school children learning to grow and prepare fruits and vegetables as part of the school nutrition program. A policy paper based on the findings of the intervention projects and research studies done in the community, which supported the usefulness of the community health nursing models, was completed and is being submitted to the Ministry of health.