Yogyakarta, March 28, 2025 — Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) continues its commitment to employee well-being by organizing the Health and Nutrition Program: Weight Loss through MOOC UGM Online, held from March 24 to 26, 2025. This strategic health education initiative attracted significant participation across the university, aiming to foster healthier lifestyle habits among academic and administrative staff.
The program was overwhelmingly joined by tenaga kependidikan (administrative staff), comprising 96% of the total participants, while the remaining 4% came from the teaching faculty. In terms of employment status, the majority were PNS and Pegawai UGM. Notably, representation spanned various units within UGM, with 67% from Faculties and Schools and 33% from the Central Administrative Office (KPTU).
The training was delivered using a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform, supported by synchronous discussion sessions via Zoom Meeting. This hybrid model provided flexibility for participants to engage with materials at their own pace, while also fostering interaction through live discussions. Participants praised this approach, noting that “the asynchronous format allowed us to study without disrupting our daily work routines.”
Led by Harry Freitag Luglio Muhammad, S.Gz., Dietitian, M.Sc., the program focused on the scientific foundation of weight management, healthy eating, physical activity, and long-term lifestyle change. The instructor received high marks, with 89.1% of participants giving the highest rating for his delivery and clarity of content.
The program content was also well received:
- 7% of participants rated the program overall as excellent.
- Over 82% strongly agreed that the curriculum was relevant, systematic, and in line with current developments.
- The use of UGM Online platform was positively reviewed, with participants highlighting its intuitive navigation and easy access to all training materials in one place.
In the feedback section, many participants expressed how the training increased their awareness and motivation. “After joining this program, I became more committed to improving my eating habits and physical health,” wrote one participant. Another noted, “The content was highly applicable and aligned with real-life conditions, especially for those over 40 who are concerned about their health.”
The organizing committee was also recognized for their excellent service, with 84.7% of respondents rating their performance as very good. Participants found the team to be informative, responsive, and professional throughout the event.
In response to suggestions for improvement, several participants hoped for longer access to the online materials, more interactive elements like quizzes or infographics, and the possibility of in-person practical sessions for future health-related training. There was also demand for similar programs to be held regularly, with expanded quotas to allow more employees to participate.
This initiative underlines UGM’s ongoing efforts to prioritize the holistic development of its staff, not only in terms of competence but also physical and mental well-being. By offering accessible, science-based programs like this, UGM sets a model for institutions aiming to cultivate a healthier, more productive academic environment.
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(HR/Rista)
