OSAKA, JAPAN — Denada Florencia Leona, MD, an Indonesian physician and academic, shared insights on international higher education, scholarship opportunities, and healthcare research at Japan Youth Summit (JYS) 2026.
Denada is a lecturer in the Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, in Padang, Indonesia. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in the Department of Preventive Services at the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University. Her academic experience in Indonesia and Japan informs her perspective on the importance of global education and applying scientific knowledge to address community needs.
Meet Denada Florencia Leona, MD
Denada has a background in medicine and healthcare research. Her research focuses on Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and prehospital care systems.
She is a recipient of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) scholarship for doctoral studies. Her academic achievements include the Best Abstract Award at the 5th Asia-Pacific CardioMetabolic Syndrome Congress in 2022 and Best Poster Presenter at the International Congress on Lipid & Atherosclerosis in Seoul, South Korea, in 2021.
Global Education and Scholarship Opportunities
During her session at JYS 2026, Denada discussed how international higher education can broaden perspectives, build academic networks, and deepen expertise. She also introduced funding opportunities for overseas study, including Indonesia’s LPDP scholarship and Japan’s MEXT scholarship. Other programmes, such as JASSO and ADB-JSP, were also part of the discussion.
She emphasized that academic success is not determined solely by initial ability or having a perfect background. Curiosity, preparation, and persistence are essential throughout the learning and research process. Mistakes and rejection can also provide valuable lessons that help students refine their approaches and develop stronger research questions.
Comparing Emergency Medical Services in Three Countries
Beyond education, Denada explored Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by comparing systems in Indonesia, Japan, and Singapore.
Indonesia faces challenges related to its vast geography, uneven distribution of resources, and fragmented emergency response systems. Japan, by comparison, has a standardized national EMS system with the 119 emergency number and medical helicopter services. Singapore has also developed public-access automated external defibrillators (AEDs), community CPR education, and technologies such as the MyResponder app, which mobilizes volunteers to respond to emergencies.
These comparisons highlighted the importance of learning from other countries while adapting their practices to local needs. In cases of cardiac arrest, prompt action by bystanders—including performing CPR and using an AED when available—can play a crucial role in early intervention.
Encouraging Young People to Start Locally
Denada also encouraged participants to understand that meaningful research does not have to begin with a large-scale project. It can start by identifying a problem, developing research questions, collecting data, and analyzing findings before putting improvements into practice.
This message encouraged young people to develop knowledge and skills that can be applied directly in their communities. From understanding local health issues to learning basic first aid, young people can make a difference without waiting until they become experts.
Drawing on her experience in Indonesia and Japan, Denada highlighted the importance of connecting global learning with local needs. Education and research can empower young people to develop relevant solutions and create meaningful, real-world impact.
Also read: Japan Youth Summit 2026 Autumn Edition Honors Outstanding Young Innovators from Around the World
About Japan Youth Summit
Japan Youth Summit (JYS) is an international programme organized by Youth Break the Boundaries (YBB). It brings together young people from different countries to exchange ideas, broaden their perspectives, and build cross-cultural collaborations.
Through sessions featuring practitioners, academics, and professionals from various fields, JYS gives participants opportunities to explore new perspectives and discover ways to contribute to addressing global challenges.
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