USU PR – The Rodent Watch Program, consisting of a multidisciplinary team from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), successfully participated in the Asia-Pacific Global Health Innovation Hackathon Incubation Programme organized by SingHealth DUKE-NUS in Singapore on October 13–15, 2025. This prestigious activity was part of the award received by the team as one of the three main winners of the Asia-Pacific–level health innovation competition, with a total development grant support of SGD 25,000.

The team is led by dr. Sunna Vyatra Hutagalung, MS, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Medicine, USU, together with team members Dr. Anita Zaitunah, S.Hut., M.Sc., from the Faculty of Forestry, USU; Dr. Erna Budhiarti Nababan, M.IT., from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, USU; and Drh. Rita Rosmala Dewi, M.Si., Ph.D., from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Tjut Nyak Dhien. This cross-faculty collaboration represents a tangible manifestation of USU’s multidisciplinary spirit in delivering innovations based on science, technology, and humanity.

During the three-day program, the Rodent Watch Team took part in intensive training sessions and mentoring activities involving experienced international mentors in the fields of health, artificial intelligence (AI), as well as innovative entrepreneurship and business. Participants also had the opportunity to visit leading innovation and technology institutions, such as SGInnovate, Microsoft, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through these activities, the team was introduced to the process by which startups present their ideas and innovative solutions to investors (venture capital), thereby broadening their insights into innovation-based business development in the health sector.

Through this program, the Rodent Watch Team not only deepened its technical competencies but also expanded its international collaboration network. This experience strengthened the team’s foundation in developing data-driven digital solutions for zoonotic disease mitigation and environmental health improvement, while also reinforcing USU’s position as a university that actively contributes to global issues in the fields of health and technology.

USU’s participation in this international event reflects the university’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). With a spirit of cross-disciplinary collaboration and the support of global networks, the Rodent Watch Team serves as proof that innovations from Indonesian universities are capable of competing and creating tangible impact at the international level.