Tag: Indonesia

The 2025 Rector’s Conference at the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad on Wednesday (Dec 3, 2025) served as a key opportunity for Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) to reinforce its strategic role within the global higher education landscape. Across discussion panels, university forums, and the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) meeting, UNAIR positioned itself as a drive for solving global issues, particularly through collaborative research, technological innovation, international talent management, and community-engagement networks. The UNAIR delegation was led by Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development (RICD) Prof Dr Muhammad Miftahussurur SpPD-KGEH PhD; Executive Secretary of the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD), Prof Dr Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih MSi; and Head of UNAIR’s LPJPHKI, Prof Ferry Efendi SKep Ns MSc PhD. Their presence also marked Indonesia’s representation in global academic diplomacy.

The conference opened with a welcome address from COMSTECH HE Coordinator General Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, who underscored the importance of strengthening cross-border partnerships in science and technology. The event provided a strategic venue for cultivating a global innovation ecosystem responsive to technological change, interdisciplinary research demands, and the development of highly skilled talent.

During the Introduction of International Universities session, UNAIR outlined its achievements and strategic priorities. These included research transformation, enhanced scientific publication quality, innovation downstreaming, and expanded international partnerships. Representing UNAIR, Prof Miftahussurur reaffirmed the university’s contributions to the global academic ecosystem. “UNAIR views COMSTECH as a crucial platform for widening research collaboration, academic mobility, and science-based innovation. These efforts support talent capacity-building and strengthen Indonesia’s visibility in international higher education networks,” he stated.

As Executive Secretary of WUACD, Prof Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih highlighted the organization’s progress, achievements, and potential areas for collaboration with COMSTECH. She explained that WUACD focuses on community development, social transformation, and using research to improve societal well-being. Collaboration with COMSTECH opens opportunities in several areas, including research-based community development programs, cross-border capacity-building initiatives, technology-driven community empowerment, and multidisciplinary projects that involve member universities from both networks.

Prof Puspaningsih emphasized that integrating WUACD and COMSTECH strengths can amplify the social impact of university research. The partnership would also reinforce UNAIR’s standing as a global leader in community-based education and social innovation. “This collaboration strengthens international community-development networks and ensures research delivers real benefits rather than ending solely in publications,” she said.

The international gathering also featured two key discussion sessions. The first, Character-Based Leadership and Academic Ethics Foundation, explored a Prophetic Character-Based Leadership model centered on integrity, empathy, discipline, and responsibility. These principles are considered vital for strengthening academic leadership and fostering an ethical research culture, including in cross-border talent management.

The second session, Future Universities – Society, Economy, and Industry Nexus, examined how universities must evolve amid digital transformation, innovation-driven economic shifts, and global industrial demands. The discussion addressed adaptation to the digital and AI revolutions, stronger industry partnerships, accelerated innovation commercialization, transdisciplinary learning models, and aligning research with global social and economic needs. UNAIR’s innovation ecosystem, comprised of AGE, DRI, LPJPHKI, LIHTR, PASINBIS, LPMB, and various leading research centers, was highlighted as a model that partner universities could emulate.

During the annual meeting, discussions centered on the need for a comprehensive, collaborative, and flexible system for managing global research and innovation talent. UNAIR stressed the importance of a strategic framework involving talent identification, competency development, academic mobility, and diaspora engagement to strengthen global research cooperation. This framework aligns with international trends emphasizing talent mobility, collaborative research networks, and cross-border innovation ecosystems.

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to expand its global reach through strategic international academic partnerships. A delegation conducted official visits to the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), two of Pakistan’s leading universities. The agenda focused on expanding international research cooperation, academic exchanges, global scientific publications, and the downstreaming and commercialization of university-based innovation.

The delegation was led by UNAIR’s Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development (RICD), Prof Dr Muhammad Miftahussurur SpPD-KGEH PhD, joined by Executive Secretary of the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD), Prof Dr Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih MSi, and Head of the Center for Journal Development, Publication, and Intellectual Property Rights (LPJPHKI), Prof Ferry Efendi Skep Ns MSc PhD.

The meeting was held in the IIUI Rectorate Conference Hall on Tuesday (11/2/2025), attended by the acting president, vice presidents, and senior leadership members. IIUI expressed a strong commitment to strengthening academic collaboration among Asian universities as part of its effort to advance higher education ecosystems across the Islamic world. During the academic dialogue, UNAIR and IIUI identified multiple areas for strategic partnership. These include international joint research in STEM and the social sciences, faculty and student mobility programs, co-hosting international seminars and conferences, collaborative scientific publication platforms, and academic capacity building through global networks.

Prof Miftahussurur emphasized that the internationalization of research is essential to UNAIR’s goal of becoming a World Class University. “UNAIR is committed to broadening its regional and global footprint. This collaboration allows us to strengthen research quality, expand scientific influence, and establish long-term, sustainable academic networks,” he said.

UNAIR delegates with NUST’s research director and representatives (Photo: By courtesy)

While the visit to IIUI centered on academic cooperation, the visit to NUST focused on enhancing the downstreaming of research and transforming innovations into economic assets. The UNAIR delegation was welcomed by NUST’s Director of Research before touring two of the university’s leading units. The first was the National Science and Technology Park (NSTP), Pakistan’s largest center for innovation commercialization and research-driven startup development. The second was the School of Interdisciplinary Engineering & Sciences (SINES), a hub that integrates multidisciplinary research for industry-focused solutions.

During the visit, Prof Miftahussurur stressed the need for Indonesian universities to shift their research paradigm. “UNAIR’s research must create tangible impact, not only in academia but also economically. NUST illustrates how a university can function as an innovation center that generates applicable technologies and commercial products. This serves as a valuable lesson for UNAIR,” he asserted. NUST expressed interest in collaborating in several areas such as innovation downstreaming and commercialization, science and technology park development model, university-based startup ecosystems, joint research with shared patent potential, and transdisciplinary researcher exchange programs.

During the same visit, Prof Miftahussurur also delivered a guest lecture at NUST on Gastric Dysbiosis and H. pylori to multidisciplinary students and faculties. Meanwhile, Prof Dr Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih presented a lecture titled Introduction to Bioinformatics and Machine Learning: Role and Challenges.

UNAIR, IIUI, and NUST agreed to follow up the meetings by developing a more structured collaborative action plan. Priority areas include strengthening institutional partnerships, intensifying academic and research exchanges, expanding opportunities for internationally indexed scientific publications, accelerating research-based innovation downstreaming, and increasing the shared impact of collaborative research and innovation pipelines.

The UNAIR delegation’s visit to Pakistan underscores the university’s growing role in Indonesia’s academic diplomacy. The initiative aligns with UNAIR’s vision to enhance global contributions through innovative research, reputable scientific publications, and sustainable innovation commercialization.

The Faculty of Vocational Studies Universitas Airlangga welcomed a delegation from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMP-SA) as part of a Collaborative Research Visit series. The initiative marks an important step toward strengthening UNAIR’s international network, particularly in the development of applied research and in elevating the overall quality of vocational education.

The visit featured extensive discussions on long-term collaboration opportunities between UNAIR and UMP-SA. The partnership is expected to cover joint research, student and staff mobility programs, and faculty capacity development initiatives. Both institutions also explored the possibility of designing an integrated curriculum aligned with global industry demands. These efforts underscore the Faculty of Vocational Studies’ role in driving cross-border academic cooperation.

Excellence and relevance in a rapidly changing era

Dean of the Faculty of Vocational Studies, Prof Dian Yulie Reindrawati, emphasized that international partnerships are essential to the faculty’s strategic vision of delivering vocational education that is both excellent and future-oriented. “Collaborations like this create pathways for lecturers and students to engage in research and learning at the global level. We believe our partnership with UMP-SA will significantly contribute to advancing innovation and strengthening vocational competencies,” she said.

In addition to exploring joint research prospects, the visit also addressed preparations for mobility programs that would enable scholarly exchange between both institutions. Through direct academic engagement, UNAIR and UMP-SA aim to build a more dynamic and adaptive collaboration ecosystem that supports the advancement of applied sciences on an international scale.

Representatives from UMP-SA expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality and openness shown by UNAIR’s Faculty of Vocational Studies. They noted that UNAIR has cultivated a progressive vocational ecosystem that is well-positioned to collaborate on applied research initiatives aimed at addressing community needs.

The visit reaffirms UNAIR Faculty of Vocational Studies’ commitment to expanding its global reach and contributing to the growth of vocational education across Southeast Asia. Collaboration with UMP-SA Malaysia forms a key foundation for fostering innovation, promoting knowledge exchange, and delivering relevant educational experiences for future generations.

On Tuesday (Nov 24, 2025), Haneda Airport Service Group (HAS-G), the ground-handling operator at Haneda Airport responsible for aircraft services for major carriers, including All Nippon Airways (ANA), formally launched a partnership with the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). The collaboration was formalized through the signing of a Cooperation Agreement for a student internship program, designed to broaden strategic international networks across business, industry, and professional sectors.

The agreement-signing ceremony was attended by UNAIR representatives, including Dean of Faculty of Humanities Syahrur Marta Dwisusilo PhD and Japanese Language and Literature Program Coordinator Nunuk Endah Srimulyani PhD. They were welcomed by HAS-G Vice President Maruo Keijiro and manager Takuro Minoura at the TRC Center Building Annex in Heiwajima, Tokyo. The meeting marked a significant initial step in strengthening FIB UNAIR’s international collaborations.

The Japanese Language and Literature program has previously offered internship placements in Japan, and this new partnership with HAS-G further expands its international network. The collaboration is a strategic move to provide students with comprehensive, globally oriented work experience. Through the agreement, FIB UNAIR and HAS-G will enable students from the program to engage in a one-year internship.

Of the eight students nominated, six were selected from the 2022–2023 cohorts. The selected students completed several screening stages, which included meeting minimum academic credit requirements, securing faculty recommendations, participating in interviews with HAS-G, undergoing mental and physical health evaluations, and presenting a Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) certificate at a minimum N3 level. They are expected to depart in late December or early January. Throughout the internship, the six participants will carry out assignments aligned with the official curriculum jointly developed by UNAIR and HAS-G.

This internship serves as an important stepping stone for students entering an international work environment. By experiencing a professional setting firsthand, students are expected not only to strengthen their Japanese language skills but also to develop workplace discipline, responsibility, and the motivation to expand other professional competencies essential for their future careers.

“We hope this collaboration with HAS-G will continue annually and allow more students to benefit from the internship program,” said Srimulyani. Maruo Keijiro added that one UNAIR alumnus is already working at HAS through a non-internship route. Strong performance in the internship could open substantial opportunities for participants to return as full-time employees and pursue career advancement at HAS-G after graduation. He also expressed hope that student participation in the program will continue to grow in the years ahead.

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.