Nurses are often underestimated by the general public, considered as mere assistants to doctors, even though their role in maintaining public health is crucial. In the 9th Biennial International Nursing Conference (BINC) held by the Faculty of Nursing, University of Indonesia (FoN UI), the strategic role of nurses in the health care system was reaffirmed. The conference, which took place on Thursday (October 17, 2024) at The Margo Hotel, Depok, was attended by 100 participants from various countries, including Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia.

Dean of FoN UI, Agus Setiawan, S.Kp., M.N., D.N., emphasized that nurses are the biggest pillar of health in Indonesia, with 49% of all health workers. “Nurses not only support doctors, but have a great responsibility in providing direct care, supporting patient recovery, and maintaining public health,” he explained.

BINC 2024 carries the theme “Advancing Nursing Education and Practice for Future Global Health in Digital Health”, which is relevant to the development of global health technologies, including *telemedicine*, artificial intelligence, and data-based health management. Chairperson of the BINC committee, Ns. La Rakhmat Wabula, S.Kep., M.Kep., emphasized that nurses need to develop new skills in digital health to be ready for future global challenges.

The conference featured a number of influential keynote speakers in the world of healthcare and digital technology, including:
- Mr. Aryo Paramoragung, S.T., M.T (Secretary of Human Resources Research and Development Agency, Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Indonesia), who spoke about the role of digital technology in Indonesia's healthcare system. He highlighted how telemedicine and digitalization can facilitate access to healthcare, especially in remote areas.
- Prof. Hugh McKenna (CBE, PhD, B.Sc(Hons), RMN, RGN, RNT, DipN(Lond), AdvDipEd, FFN RCSI, FEANS, FRCN, FAAN, MEA), from Ulster University, UK, discussed how nursing education must adapt to technological developments, especially in the face of telehealth and artificial intelligence.
- Prof. Kuei-Ru Chou, Ph.D., RN. from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, who is the President of Lambda Beta-at-Large Chapter, spoke about healthcare for the aging population in the digital age, and how technology can help extend their quality of life.

In addition, BINC also featured panel sessions with international experts sharing the latest research findings and innovations in the field of nursing, including:

- Prof. Joan E. Edwards, Ph.D. CNS, RN, FAAN. from Texas Woman's University, USA, discussed innovations in oncology nursing.
- Prof. Mei Feng Lin, Ph.D., RN. from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, who examined technological approaches in mental health care.
- Prof. Agung Waluyo, S.Kp., M.Sc., Ph.D. from the University of Indonesia, who emphasized the role of nursing education in supporting digital transformation in Indonesia's health sector.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamil Che Hasan from International Islamic University Malaysia, who spoke about the importance of ethics in the use of digital technology in nursing care.
- Dr. Robert Griffiths from the University of Manchester, UK, who outlined how machine learning and artificial intelligence can improve nursing diagnostics and clinical decision-making.

The theme of BINC 2024 is in line with the need to prepare nurses for future challenges. Along with the development of telemedicine and the use of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment, nurses are required to master digital health technology. “Nursing education must be able to prepare nurses who are not only clinically competent, but also proficient in using technology to improve health services,” said La Rakhmat Wabula.

In this series of BINC events, nursing students also get the opportunity to present their research results through posters and Q&A sessions. The conference was a platform to share innovative ideas and build professional networks between countries.

Agus Setiawan emphasized the importance of nurses as a central element in improving the quality of healthcare in Indonesia and the world. “Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients and play a key role in supporting self-care and chronic disease management. They also act as educators in promoting health and preventing disease.”

As the number of elderly people and the complexity of diseases in the world increases, the need for competent nurses who are adaptive to technological developments becomes increasingly crucial. “We hope BINC 2024 can encourage collaboration between countries to create a more effective and inclusive global healthcare system, with nurses at the forefront,” she added.

BINC 2024 is clear evidence that FoN UI continues to be committed to developing nursing education and practice, both at the national and international levels. By presenting experts from various countries, this conference provides new insights and innovations that can be applied in the world of health, and encourages sustainable international collaboration.

Through The 9th Biennial International Nursing Conference, FoN UI is determined to continue advancing the role of nurses in the digital era, ensuring that the profession remains relevant and has a significant impact in creating better and more inclusive healthcare in the future.