Through a public application process, 15 members of the lay public, aged between 19 – 67 were selected from nearly 100 applicants, representing diverse backgroundsincluding private sector workers, students, retirees, homemakers, journalists, and NGO workers.
During the introductory session, Dr Iqbal Elyazar, Deputy Director of OUCRU Indonesia, and Dr Raph Hamers, Head of Infectious Diseases Group, shared OUCRU Indonesia’s history as a leading infectious disease research unit and its commitment to inclusive, community-engaged research.
The meeting, facilitated by Eva Simarmata, OUCRU ForuM Coordinator, featured the introduction of the ForuM and its guiding Principles. These principles form the foundation of the ForuM and guide all participants, including ForuM members and OUCRU researchers, to collaborate and engage in discussion about voluntary participation, equality in expressing opinions, constructive and solution-oriented contributions, ethical and respectful communication
accountability, sensitivity to data
“ForuM is about bringing the community’s voice into health research. Their perspectives, experiences, and feedback will help ensure that our work at OUCRU is not only scientifically rigorous, but also inclusive, relevant, and responsive to community needs,” – Raph Hamers
“It helps build stronger connections between researchers and communities, making health research in Indonesia more impactful for everyone.” – Iqbal Elyazar
The meeting also included a laboratory tour led by Decy, Head of Laboratory, where members expressed great enthusiasm and curiosity about how research comes to life at OUCRU. The members actively engaged in discussions, reflecting their shared interest in bridging science and society.
Through regular meetings, the ForuM will continue to enhance research quality through local insights and lived experiences, promote ethical research conduct and cultural sensitivity. Strengthen trust through open and transparent communication. Support accessible dissemination of research findings to the community.
Through the ForuM, OUCRU Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to making research with communities by integrating local knowledge, cultural insights, and lived experiences.
For more information, visit Community Advisory Boards at OUCRU