Tag: Indonesia

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) hosted a delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya to reinforce strategic cooperation in education, research, and community engagement. The meeting took place in the Rector’s Meeting Room at UNAIR’s MERR-C Campus in Surabaya on Wednesday (January 21, 2025). UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, SE, MSi, MFin, together with senior university leaders, welcomed the delegation led by Mr. Anup Mahajan, General Public Engagement Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. The visit provided a platform to explore long-term collaboration opportunities between UNAIR and U.S.-affiliated academic institutions and programs.

In his opening remarks, Rector Prof. Muhammad Madyan emphasized UNAIR’s strong commitment to international cooperation, particularly with the U.S. Embassy, which has supported various academic and capacity-building initiatives over the years. He said the partnership aligns closely with UNAIR’s aspiration to be recognized as a world-class university. “UNAIR is dedicated to broadening its global engagement. Collaboration with the U.S. Embassy not only facilitates academic mobility but also advances research and innovation that deliver meaningful benefits to society,” Prof. Madyan said.

He also highlighted the continued importance of initiatives such as the American Corner, which function as hubs for knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and the promotion of global perspectives within the university community. Opportunities for Joint Programs Speaking on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Mr. Anup Mahajan expressed appreciation for UNAIR’s hospitality and noted the embassy’s openness to expanding cooperation, particularly in STEM education and capacity-building programs for students and faculty.

“We regard UNAIR as a key strategic partner. There is significant potential for flexible collaboration through American Spaces, educational initiatives, and programs that engage both students and researchers,” Mr. Mahajan said.

Separately, UNAIR Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development (RICD), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Miftahussurur, dr., Sp.PD-KGEH, PhD, underscored the importance of international partnerships in strengthening research quality and community outreach. “This collaboration is expected to be integrated into UNAIR’s curriculum and research priorities, ensuring tangible contributions to scientific advancement and public benefit,” he said.

The meeting concluded with both UNAIR and the U.S. Embassy expressing their shared commitment to developing concrete steps for future collaboration, while enhancing the role of higher education in responding to global challenges.

The recent floods and landslides that have struck several regions across Sumatra over the past few days have caused widespread humanitarian impacts, ranging from fatalities and infrastructure damage to the displacement of thousands of residents. In response, the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) mobilized its Disaster Response Unit to assist affected communities. The rapid deployment reflects UNAIR’s commitment to supporting residents facing emergency conditions at multiple evacuation sites.

“As part of this nation, FK UNAIR cannot stand by. We are sending our medical personnel to provide assistance to victims of the floods and landslides in Sumatra,” said Prof. Dr. Eighty Mardiyan K, dr SpOG SubSp Urogin RE, Dean of UNAIR’s Faculty of Medicine. UNAIR has depolyed a joint medical team comprising staff from FK UNAIR, UNAIR Hospital, and Dr. Soetomo Regional Hospital. The team includes Dr. M. Hardian Basuki, SpOT (K); Dr. Airi Mutiara, SpAn (K); Dr. Arya Wiradewa; Dr. Yehezkiel Edward; and Dr. Zulfikar Loka Wicaksana.

Prof. Mardiyan confirmed that the team departed by land on Friday (Dec. 6, 2025). They have since reached Aceh Tamiang after traveling through Medan. Early reports indicate that the situation in Aceh Tamiang is dire, with no functional healthcare facilities available. Dr. Mutiara stressed the importance of coordinating with local authorities. The team has held discussions with the Deputy Regent of Aceh Tamiang regarding the establishment of a temporary health post. “A clinic has been made available to us with the owner’s permission. We hope this will help address the urgent need for medical services following the disaster,” she said.

Healthcare workers and medical supplies have been prepared to support the emergency response.

UNAIR plans to expand its support for flood and landslide relief efforts in Sumatra, including sending additional medical teams, logistical aid, and other necessary resources. The university reaffirmed its commitment to serving communities in need.

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again demonstrated its dedication to the nation. The Ksatria Airlangga Hospital Ship (RSKKA) is currently en route to Aceh Tamiang to support communities affected by widespread flooding and landslides across parts of Sumatra.

Prof Hery Purnobasuki, MSi, PhD, Head of the Institute for Sustainable Community Service (LPMB), reported that the RSKKA Rapid Health Assessment team has coordinated closely with UNAIR Hospital. The team has secured a clinic to function as its operational base, offering both outpatient and inpatient care in Aceh Tamiang.

“Reports from our team in Aceh highlight urgent needs, including general physicians, nurses, midwives, nutrition staff, pharmacists, public health workers, university students, and logistical support. In response, we are deploying medical personnel equipped with essential supplies, generators, and additional fuel,” he said.

Preventing potential disease outbreaks

In distributing medical assistance, Prof Purnobasuki stated that UNAIR is working directly with the doctors assigned to RSKKA. The medical response will prioritize preventing illnesses that commonly emerge and spread following large-scale flooding, requiring early and proactive intervention.

“The diseases we are preparing for include diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis, which often arise from food contamination due to floodwater. We are also monitoring for leptospirosis transmitted through open wounds, mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and malaria, acute respiratory infections, and various forms of skin irritation,” he explained.

Prof Purnobasuki added that although RSKKA continues humanitarian missions in other regions, the team has accelerated its emergency response by sending doctors ahead of the vessel. These physicians traveled by air to immediately assist residents affected by the floods and landslides in Sumatra.

“We hope this advance medical team can assess the community’s needs, provide an accurate overview of on-the-ground conditions, and support trauma care for survivors. RSKKA will focus especially on helping restore the local healthcare system until meaningful recovery begins to take shape,” he said.

In the aftermath of flash floods and landslides that hit Sumatra, recovery operations remain underway, driven by volunteers from various institutions. Among those involved are volunteers from the Ksatria Airlangga Hospital Ship (RSKKA), working alongside a network of university-based volunteers under the Agam Regency Disaster Medical Team (DMT). Together, they have continued to hold discussions and coordinate closely to ensure that post-disaster recovery efforts in affected areas are carried out effectively and strategically.

These coordination activities coincided with a visit by the Director of Institutional Affairs at the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Prof. Dr. Khairul Munadi, ST, MEng. The visit took place on Friday (12/12/2025) at the Agam DMT command post. At the same time, the team also worked with the Agam Regency Health Office, which operates a Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC), to assess and map the medical needs of local communities.

Field Coordinator dr. Rizky Loviana Roza, SpAn, said the volunteers coordinated not only with the local health office but also with the most fundamental healthcare providers in the region, community health centers (puskesmas). “At the grassroots level, responsibility for healthcare services lies with the puskesmas. We also coordinated with other universities that deployed volunteers to the command post in Lubuk Basung,” she explained.

“We aligned our efforts to ensure that the medical personnel deployed matched the specific needs of each area. As a result of this coordination, we also established a post at the Puskesmas Malalak,” dr. Roza added.She noted that strengthening coordination among volunteer teams was essential in overcoming severe access challenges to isolated communities. “Access routes to villages and residential areas were cut off. Around three to four hamlets became inaccessible, leaving residents unable to reach puskesmas because roads were blocked by landslides,” she said.

As a result of these coordinated efforts, the team agreed to work closely with relevant government agencies, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), as well as participating universities in Agam Regency. This collaboration led to the establishment of a 24-hour command post and the provision of specialist medical services at the Malalak Community Health Center. In addition, the team carried out home visits for patients who were unable to access healthcare independently due to continued isolation.