Dr Sri Umasugi

I decided to study the Master of Public Health course because I wanted to contribute further to the field of public health. As a research assistant before pursuing my study, I realized that my contributions were limited due to a lack of knowledge and skills. It was then that I discovered the health program evaluation subject, which is a part of the Master of Public Health course, and I knew that pursuing this degree would benefit me greatly.

I chose the University of Melbourne for several reasons. Firstly, the university has a strong reputation for providing high-quality education, and the Master of Public Health program has a well-established academic tradition. Secondly, the teaching and lecturers are approachable and knowledgeable, and I knew that I would be able to learn a lot from them. Finally, the university provides various opportunities for students to improve their non-academic skills, such as leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving, which I believe are essential for a successful career in public health.

Pursuing the Master of Public Health course at the University of Melbourne has been an enriching, one-in-a-lifetime experience.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Master of Public Health course for me has been the focus on health economics. This course has emphasized the importance of looking at public health programs not just in terms of their costs and benefits, but also in terms of equity. This has been particularly exciting for me because I believe that healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Learning about health economics has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of healthcare financing and resource allocation.

Another aspect of the course that has been interesting for me is health program evaluation. Through this course, I have learned about program logic and how to evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs. This has been particularly useful as it has helped me to develop a clear understanding of the evaluation process and how to summarize it effectively. This I realize, will be particularly valuable in my future career in public health.

Finally, I have found my new liking for the biostatistics and epidemiology courses. These courses have provided me with the opportunity to understand evidence-based and research techniques in public health. Overall, these aspects of the Master of Public Health course are exciting and I look forward to applying this knowledge in my future career.

Some of the best things about studying this course at the University of Melbourne that comes into my mind as I am typing are:

First, teaching: The University of Melbourne is known for its high-quality teaching and academic standards. The Master of Public Health program is taught by experienced and knowledgeable faculty members from Australia and other countries who are passionate about public health and dedicated to providing students with a solid foundation in the field.

Second, strong academic tradition: The University of Melbourne has a long and prestigious history of academic excellence, which is reflected in its Master of Public Health program. The program is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to make a meaningful impact in the field of public health, all that while accommodating the different walks of life and experiences that the students had.

Third, approachable lecturers: The faculty members who teach in the Master of Public Health program at the University of Melbourne are approachable, supportive and generous with their time. They are available to answer questions, provide guidance, and offer feedback to help students and believe it or not it came as a surprise for me, knowing how busy they are!

Lastly, opportunities to improve non-academic skills: In addition to providing a strong academic foundation in public health, the program also offers opportunities for students to develop non-academic skills that are important for success in future careers. These skills include leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, among others.

Overall, the Master of Public Health program provides an excellent opportunity to gain a solid foundation in public health, develop valuable skills, and make a positive impact in for their graduate students.

During my degree, I have participated in various activities that have helped me develop myself. Some of these activities include:

Research capstone: The research capstone project was a significant part of my degree, providing me with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I acquired throughout the program. Through this project, I gained valuable experience in conducting research, analyzing data, and presenting my findings to the audiences.

Mentoring and MDHS buddy program: As an international student, the mentoring and buddy program provided me with valuable support and guidance, both academically and socially. My mentor and buddy helped me navigate the university system, and provided academic advice.

Student organizations: I participated in several student organizations, including Australia Awards Student Club and the Public Health Australia Association. These organizations provided me with opportunities to network with other public health students and professionals, attend seminars (I was lucky to received two scholarships to attend the PHAA conference!), and participate in Indonesia community programs.

Currently, I am working as the Ancillary and Medical Service Division Head where I am responsible for supervising hospital operations, collaborating with different departments, communicating with various health professionals, managing stakeholders, and evaluating medical services, including service costs. One of the things I enjoy most about my job is ensuring that patients receive the service they deserve by monitoring and evaluating the services provided.

The skills that I gained during my Master of Public Health program have been extremely useful in my current role. The program equipped me with the necessary skills to analyze and evaluate health services and the cost-effectiveness of health interventions. I learned how to critically analyze health services and understand the importance of evidence-based decision-making.

Furthermore, during my studies, I also developed strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Overall, the Master of Public Health program has provided me with a solid foundation to excel in my career and make a positive impact on the healthcare system.

I am driven to pursue this course of study because of my personal experiences growing up in a rural area in Indonesia, where I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of health disparities in my community.

As a child, I saw how limited access to healthcare services and resources contributed to poor health outcomes for many people. This experience stayed with me as I pursued my studies in medicine, where I learned that the main obstacles to good health are often related to health access and financing, rather than just a lack of health awareness.

This realization further inspired me to shift my focus from clinical medicine to public health. I want to study public health so that I can make a meaningful contribution to improving the health of people in my community and beyond. I believe that a Master of Public Health degree has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to address the complex challenges facing public health in Indonesia today.