Tag: Indonesia

The Sustainable Energy and Green Technology Applications (SEGTA) program has once again embarked on a community engagement mission. Hosted by the Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline (FTMM), this international initiative reflects a strong commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On Sunday, August 10, 2025, SEGTA conducted activities in Kalianget and Gili Iyang, Sumenep, Madura, drawing participation from 91 individuals, including international students and faculty. This year’s efforts centered on six targeted projects in the Sumenep region.

The projects included: Solar-Powered Hydroponics: A Solution for Enhancing Food Security and Reducing Reliance on Fossil Fuels; Coconut Tree Planting to Preserve Oxygen Quality in Gili Iyang, Education Outreach; Empowering Students through Electric Mobility and Renewable Energy Education, Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring: Toward a Green and Sustainable Gili Iyang Island, Drone Applications; Green Technology, and Policy for Supporting Sustainable Tourism; and Maintaining Solar Shelters to Ensure Renewable Energy Quality in Gili Iyang.

According to Prof. Dr. Retna Apsari, M.Si., FTMM’s Vice Dean for Research, Innovation, Community Engagement, and Partnerships, the Kalianget program concentrated on the solar-powered hydroponics project. Hosted at a melon greenhouse operated by Bumdes Setia Makmur in West Kalianget Village, the event featured sessions by Rizki Putra Prastio, S.Si., M.T., a lecturer in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Engineering, and Dr. Tri Siwi Agustina, S.E., M.Si., from UNAIR’s Faculty of Economics and Business.

While differing from conventional hydroponic systems, Prastio explained that the greenhouse could greatly benefit from Internet of Things (IoT) integration. Drawing from a project in Ngerong, Pasuruan, he noted that IoT combined with solar power can significantly boost crop yields for vegetables such as bok choy and lettuce. Effective implementation, however, would require aerial mapping through drone-based photography.

Meanwhile, Tahta Amrillah, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., a Nanotechnology Engineering lecturer at FTMM and coordinator of the Coconut Tree Planting initiative, oversaw the planting of 20 coconut saplings at Green Island Gili Iyang—a newly developed green tourism site. Coconut trees serve dual purposes: providing ecological benefits such as windbreaks and coastal protection, and offering substantial economic value through their diverse byproducts. The planting was carried out symbolically and involved international student representatives.

Another SEGTA innovation this year was the promotion of biofertilizers—organic fertilizers derived from naturally occurring microorganisms through the fermentation of organic waste. These biofertilizers improve plant growth and enhance soil fertility without harmful chemicals. The SEGTA team also trained local residents in biofertilizer production and application, empowering them to use the method in their own farms.

The initiative aligns with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), furthering Gili Iyang’s vision as a model for green tourism.

As part of the Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring program, Dr. Agus Mukhlisin, S.T., M.T., deployed technology to track oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in real time. “Accurate, real-time oxygen monitoring is essential for understanding environmental health. With this data, communities can better appreciate the need to maintain Gili Iyang’s high oxygen levels,” Dr. Mukhlisin said.

The monitoring device was installed at the Bancamara Health Center on Gili Iyang. It provides direct readings of oxygen concentration (%vol) and carbon dioxide levels (ppm). As of Sunday, August 10, 2025, the system recorded oxygen levels at 20.89%. This effort reflects FTMM’s commitment to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

An alumnus of Universitas Airlangga has earned recognition on the international stage. K. Candra Negara, an alumnus of the International Relations program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNAIR, has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Mozambique, concurrently accredited to Malawi. He was officially sworn in by President Prabowo Subianto on Monday (March 24, 2025) at the State Palace in Jakarta.

Ambassador Negara reflected that his years at UNAIR, especially in the FISIP academic environment, expanded his worldview and shaped his cultural awareness. Participating in wide-ranging discussions, studying global cultures through courses on society, culture, and politics, and being part of an open intellectual community gave him the perspective now essential in diplomacy.  “UNAIR taught me how to empathize and engage with diverse cultures. In the international arena, the ability to understand differences is not just an advantage—it is indispensable,” he said.

Although becoming an ambassador was never his explicit goal, Ambassador Negara pursued each stage of his diplomatic career with dedication and a commitment to continuous development. He credits UNAIR with instilling a growth mindset and strategic thinking—qualities that have proven vital in every overseas assignment.

Assigned to Mozambique and Malawi, Ambassador Negara quickly encountered challenges unique to the region. “The lack of information exchange and the limited understanding between Indonesian and Southern African communities presented particular hurdles. But we have started to address these through a series of strategic measures,” he explained.

One of his top priorities is maximizing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Indonesia and Mozambique. This agreement is particularly significant as Mozambique remains the only African country with such a trade accord with Indonesia. Ambassador Negara sees Mozambique as a gateway for Indonesian products to reach landlocked nations in Southern Africa, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.

In addition to trade, he is also advocating for a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) designed to provide legal protections for Indonesian investments in the region.“We want Indonesian investments not only to expand but also to be legally safeguarded. With this agreement, our investors will have both certainty and the confidence to venture further into Africa,” he emphasized.

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) proudly hosted the 2025 WUACD Summit, held in conjunction with the ASEAN Microbial Biotechnology Conference (AMBC 2025) and the ASEAN Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Network Conference. The summit, running from Friday to Sunday (June 13–15, 2025), was held at the ASEEC Tower, Dharmawangsa-B Campus, UNAIR, Surabaya. The international summit welcomed representatives from over 12 countries and featured a comprehensive lineup of conferences, workshops, MoU signings, and field visits to community outreach sites.

 

This year’s conference aimed to strengthen regional collaboration across ASEAN nations in microbiology, biotechnology, and community development—fields increasingly vital in the face of global issues such as climate change, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss. The event brought together academics, researchers, private sector representatives, and international development organizations.

 

Building networks, creating solutions

In her opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, M.Si, UNAIR Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development, described the conference as a key opportunity to align interdisciplinary research efforts across borders. “Today, we are not just hosting a conference—we are uniting global networks to strengthen international and cross-disciplinary partnerships. We hope this leads to new collaborations with real impact on communities,” Prof. Puspaningsih stated.

 

Echoing her remarks, AMBC 2025 Chair Prof. Dr. Ni’matuzahroh emphasized the forum’s role as a hub for knowledge exchange and regional innovation. “This forum is essential for fostering dialogue, innovation, and partnerships among microbiology and biotechnology experts across ASEAN, in support of sustainable development,” she noted.

 

Microbial science and innovation for ASEAN’s future

Prof. Dr. Ni’matuzahroh also highlighted the importance of leveraging the momentum of the conference to tackle future regional challenges through strengthened interdisciplinary cooperation. “This event serves as a platform to expand professional networks, deepen scientific perspectives, and drive innovative research collaborations that address upcoming crises,” she said.

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again taken a strategic step onto the international stage by representing Indonesia as its sole delegate at the 20th ASEAN and 10th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum (AYCF+3). The forum took place from Sunday, June 22, to Friday, June 27, 2025, in Thailand, hosted across Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Burapha University. At the event, UNAIR proudly showcased Indonesian culture before a diverse ASEAN audience.

This annual forum, initiated by the ASEAN University Network (AUN), brings together students from ASEAN nations and three key partner countries—Japan, South Korea, and China. With the theme “Cultural Convergence: Embracing Diversity, Empowering Youth,” the forum fostered cultural exchange and encouraged creative collaboration among youth across nations.

UNAIR’s delegation featured four students representing a partnership between the Student Executive Board (BEM UNAIR) and the Inter-Student Activity Unit Forum (FORKOM UKM): Anggun Zifa Anindia (President of BEM UNAIR), Melvin Hermawan (Vice President), Rodesti Florence (Chair of FORKOM), and Trikiranna Purnama (Secretary of FORKOM).

“UNAIR’s decision to participate in this forum reflects our broader mission. We’re not here just to perform, but to build cultural diplomacy as a form of soft power that can be directly experienced. We want UNAIR students to be seen as not only academically strong but also globally minded and culturally aware,” said Anindia, the delegation’s leader and President of BEM UNAIR.

Collective action, meaningful impact

UNAIR delivered a performance titled Indonesia Wonderland during the ASEAN+3 cultural night. The medley fused traditional Indonesian dances including Saman, Piring, Kecak, Legong, and Yospan with modern interpretations. Dressed in traditional attire and accompanied by contemporary ethnic music and a unifying narrative, the five-minute performance captivated the international audience.

“We received a standing ovation from nearly everyone in the room. Delegates from Japan and South Korea even came up to express how deeply impressed they were by the richness of the Indonesian culture we presented,” Anindia recounted.

At the cultural bazaar, UNAIR’s booth drew crowds with its immersive introduction to Indonesian culture. Participants sampled an array of snacks such as various Indomie flavors, brem (fermented rice cake), basreng (fried spicy meatballs), banana chips, and ginger candy. Attendees also explored cultural items like batik, Barong Bali t-shirts, wayang kulit (leather shadow puppets), and musical instruments including rebana and gendang, which they could try firsthand.

“We didn’t just showcase our culture—we brought it to life. Visitors from Laos, Vietnam, even Japan played the rebana, tasted our traditional food, and asked about the meaning behind batik and wayang. We spoke to them through flavor, movement, and sound,” she added.

Global vision through real collaboration

Anindia emphasized that UNAIR’s participation was a product of purposeful planning. Despite only having two weeks to prepare, the delegation presented a thoroughly curated and impactful showcase. “This forum wasn’t just a stage—it was a platform for student movements to voice their messages strategically. The collaboration between BEM and FORKOM UKM was key. We presented a shared narrative, not just individual efforts,” she explained.

Beyond a cultural performance, UNAIR’s presence at AYCF+3 2025 was a reflection of the university’s commitment to internationalization grounded in national identity. With other prominent Indonesian universities like UI, ITB, and UGM absent, UNAIR confidently took the spotlight, showing that its students are ready and capable of representing the country on a global platform.

“We didn’t come in large numbers, but our message was loud and clear. This forum wasn’t just about showcasing culture—it was about who’s willing to speak for their country with pride. UNAIR chose to show up, take the stage, and make its voice heard,” Anindia concluded.