In November 2024, three healthcare student members of AIMA (Australian Islamic Medical Association) were invited to represent Australia at the 22nd International Camp for Medical Students in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Organised by the Islamic Medical Association of Saudi Arabia (IMAKSA) and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), in collaboration with the Indonesian Islamic Medical Association (IIMA), the camp brought together Muslim healthcare students from around the world.
Centred on the theme “Towards Integrated and Balanced Competency of Life: Navigating Ethics, Culture, and Career”, the camp offered a rich program of thematic lectures, leadership workshops, interactive discussions, field trips, and cultural exchange. It provided a unique space for aspiring Muslim healthcare professionals to connect, learn, and grow in their roles as future leaders.
Below, we share reflections from two of the AIMA students who attended, highlighting their insights, experiences, and the lasting impact of the camp.
Report by Nateeqa Sazali
Alhamdullilah, I am truly humbled and incredibly grateful to have attended the 22nd International Camp for Medical Students, held from November 9–13, 2024, in Central Java, Indonesia. This year, the camp’s theme “Towards Integrated and Balanced Competency of Life: Navigating Ethics, Culture, and Career,” focused on developing well-rounded future healthcare professionals equipped to navigate the complexities of medicine globally. Delegates from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia, Kenya, UK, Palestine, Egypt, Uganda, Somalia and Australia had the opportunity to network and collaborate throughout the five days of the camp.
This was made possible through the support of The Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) which is a global medical network that brings together Islamic medical organizations from around the world, providing Muslim healthcare professionals with a platform for international collaboration. I am also deeply grateful to the Islamic Medical Association of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (IMAKSA) and the World Assembly of Medical Youth (WAMY) for organizing this transformative event with a diverse program uniting aspiring medical professionals and fostering the growth of future healthcare leaders.
Camp Program
The comprehensive program of the camp offered a unique and enriching experience for all delegates. The objectives of the program included strengthening the involvement of students in IMA activities, exchange of information and experiences as well as communication and networking among the student chapters of IMA. This was facilitated through:
- Scientific Program: Most days started with the scientific program (8AM – 2PM) which covered a range of significant topics targeted towards thriving as a Muslim healthcare practitioner. Through thematic lectures by international speakers, workshops, and leadership presentations, participants had the chance to collaborate and examine these relevant topics that are prominent today. Some key topics included:
- “Formation of Islamic Personality of a Muslim Healthcare Provider”
- “Role of Muslim Health Professionals in the Future of Healthcare”
- “Fitness of Special Skills: Information technology & AI Application”
These were just a few of the insightful topics explored, offering valuable perspectives that will shape the future of healthcare and inspire the next generation of Muslim medical professionals.
- IMA Presentations: Each country also had the opportunity to present the activities and events in the student chapters at their IMA back home. It was fascinating to see the similarities around the world such as mentorship programs for the MMI and the expansion of student initiatives.
- Community Service Program: Our involvement in community service activities, specifically having the opportunity to connect and interact with the locals was enlightening. Through conducting health check-ups at the community center as well as visiting the beautiful Al Azhar International Islamic Boarding School, Karang Anyar and participating in CPR and AED training. We also had the opportunity to educate the students on first aid procedures, eye examinations, infection control methods, and an interactive session to address their inquiries regarding medical specializations.
- Cultural Exchange: The evening social program was another standout event, providing a wonderful opportunity to engage with and learn about various cultures. This experience not only deepened our connection as delegates but also allowed us to exchange souvenirs, share traditional dances and games, and teach the rest of the sisters some insider Aussie slang!
- Tourism: Along with the educational activities, we were incredibly fortunate to have spent an entire day dedicated to tourism and sightseeing activities around Karang Anyar. This included visiting a waterfall, lunch with a view from the top of the mountains and four-wheel driving in Jeeps.
In essence, this experience has profoundly shaped my perspective, illustrating the power of global collaboration and the richness of diversity within the medical field. Being surrounded by like-minded future healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds, all united by our shared faith of Islam, I was inspired by the exchange of ideas, the shared passion for healthcare, and our collective commitment to serving humanity.
The camp’s comprehensive program, blending scientific learning, cultural exchange, community service, and personal growth, provided a well-rounded experience that has strengthened my commitment to becoming a compassionate, well-informed healthcare leader. As we navigate the challenges of our careers and contribute to the advancement of global healthcare, the insights, skills, and relationships gained during this camp will undoubtedly continue to inspire and guide me.
Report by 2nd Student
If I were to summarise my experience on this trip I would say it has helped my development within three facets of my life; academically, spiritually, and cultural competence wise.
From the very first workshop of the trip it became clear that the purpose of the camp was to develop Muslim leaders within the healthcare industry who strive to exemplify Islamic values and ideals through their valuable work. Such professional development took place in many different forms. Initially, this involved hearing from a wide range of knowledgeable keynote speakers, who provided us with a unique blend of their experiences as doctors as well as Islamic teachings. Such topics ranged from showcasing our “Islamic personality” through our practices in work, navigating modern issues within Medicine, to more specific topics such as choosing your pathway. Additionally, there were several presentations that actively engaged the participants, and I personally delivered a presentation regarding effective communication skills. However, the most rewarding professional development was the community service opportunities this trip offered. This included both performing tests (eg. measuring blood pressure, blood glucose levels) in screening for non-communicable diseases in the locals, particularly their elderly population, and providing lifestyle advice accordingly. Additionally, we had the opportunity to provide vital first aid first training to the youth at Al Azhar International Boarding School. Personally, I believe similar initiatives could be implemented within Islamic schools in Melbourne, and I would be more than happy to potentially discuss how we could facilitate this, utilising this experience I had teaching the Year 8-11 students.
With regards to spiritual teachings, this trip has encouraged me to strengthen my connection to Islam even more. From the simple things such as the daily Quran circles at Fajr, to the various teachings explored through our Halaqahs after prayer, it’s safe to say that Islamic values were at the core of this camp. I was very fortunate to be around very knowledgeable peers who imparted their virtues on me on a daily basis. Brotherhood was a recurring theme throughout this trip; regardless of the multitude of different cultures, traditions and languages that each participant brought with them, we were strongly connected by our faith in a truly unique and humbling way. Indeed, this notion of brotherhood is inseparable from some of my fondest memories of Indonesia.
Finally, this trip provided me with unique insights into various cultures, namely Indonesian culture. We were fortunate enough in this camp to experience a plethora of different traditional foods, and participate in their highly creative and invigorating sports and recreational activities, including but not limited to: “blind” volleyball, tubing and a real life depiction of table football. One of the highlights of this trip was definitely the sightseeing day; we traversed the beautiful landscapes of Indonesia on the back of 4WD vehicles, through rocky terrains and copious pours of rainfall I may never experience again. Additionally, during the night social programs, delegates from each country would put their cultures on display, through slideshows and souvenirs. Fortunately, the group’s response to Australia’s chocolates, animals and even our slang was overwhelmingly positive.
