Monday, October 17, 2022, the Bachelor of Nutrition of the Faculty of Public Health (FPH), University of Indonesia (UI) held a Professional Seminar themed “Current and Future Nutrition Profession, Strengthening Professionalism in the Shade of Professional Organizations”. The seminar, conducted offline in Aula A FPH UI, attended by students of the FPH UI Bachelor of Nutrition.
Science and technology are developing rapidly, including in the field of nutrition. The ability to keep up with these developments is one of the competencies of the nutrition profession. “Today’s event is expected to provide an overview of the role of the nutrition profession in the present and the future,” said Head of the Department of Nutrition FPH UI, Dr. Ir. Trini Sudiartini, M.Si., in her speech. “It is also expected that you can understand your role as a nutritionist and health worker,” added the Vice Dean for Education, Research and Student Affairs of FPH UI, Dr. Ir. Asih Setiarini, M.Sc.
The seminar, moderated by the Secretary of the FPH UI Bachelor of Nutrition, Wahyu Kurnia Yusrin Putra, S.K.M., M.K.M., was interactive. The material was presented directly by the Chairperson of the DPP of the Indonesian Nutritionists Association (Persagi) for 2021-2024, Kombes (Pol). Rudatin, S.K.M., M.Si., who is also a graduate of FPH UI.
Through her presentation, Kombes (Pol). Rudatin thoroughly discussed the nutrition profession. Starting from the history of nutrition education, nutrition education graduation requirements, statutory provisions, the flow of professionalism of nutritionists, to the introduction of Persagi itself.
The need for nutrition personnel in Indonesia, including nutritionists and dietitians, reaches 130,325 people. This need is increasingly fulfilled every year, but the disparity is still very high. On this occasion, Kombes (Pol). Rudatin encouraged the students present to contribute to the development of nutrition in eastern Indonesia, one of which is through the Nusantara Sehat program. “It is not an easy struggle to be able to include nutritionists in the Nusantara Sehat program. Let’s think about it, because not all professions are in Nusantara Sehat, because it has been fought for, let’s fill it in,” explained Kombes (Pol). Rudatin.
Until now, there are 132 Bachelor of Nutrition Study Programs, 9 Dietisien Study Programs, 40 D-3 Nutrition Study Programs, and 19 Bachelor of Applied Nutrition Study Programs throughout Indonesia. This has tightened the competition for the nutrition profession in the future. Students must continue to enhance their skills and competencies so that they will not lose their competitiveness in the future.
During the question and answer session, one of the participants asked about the preparation that must be done early. Interestingly, Kombes (Pol). Rudatin offered to directly contact the relevant people at Persagi or other seminars. In addition, Kombes (Pol). Rudatin also directed to always look for a lot of information through the internet, especially the Persagi website.
Before closing her session, Kombes (Pol). Rudatin added key material regarding the nutrition profession in the era of Society 5.0. In this presentation, Kombes (Pol). Rudatin mentioned additional abilities that must be possessed by nutrition professionals in the future, which are creativity, critical thinking, and communication and collaboration. (BK)
