Tag: Indonesia

Musculoskeletal disorders linked to modern lifestyle changes became the focus of an international community service program organized by doctoral students from the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). The interactive educational outreach and consultation services were held at the Pusat Komuniti Limpahan Kasih One Stop Centre Aman Bistari in Puchong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday (May 20, 2026).

The session on the importance of maintaining bone density across all age groups, from children to older adults, was delivered by dr. Zainurrahman Kurnia Putra, SpOT, MKedKlin. He emphasized the growing number of musculoskeletal complaints caused by sedentary habits, including prolonged sitting.

“Every physical activity matters. Daily movement can serve as a long-term investment in bone density, helping prevent bone fragility later in life. Every move matters,” dr. Zainurrahman said.

In addition to the educational presentation, the student delegation also provided one-on-one consultation sessions. One senior participant, Rabaah, 55, used the opportunity to seek advice regarding physical discomfort and ways to maintain joint mobility in older age.

The lively and successful event was made possible through the strong collaboration of 18 doctoral students from FK UNAIR. The delegation reflected interdisciplinary teamwork involving physicians, midwives, nurses, medical laboratory technologists, researchers, lecturers, and public health specialists. Team members worked together to facilitate consultations, guide participants, and assist children during movement simulations.

The engaging format of the educational session generated enthusiasm among attendees. Fatin Nur Huda, 11, said she greatly enjoyed the program. “It was really exciting! Now I want to join more running competitions and activities so I can exercise more often,” she said.

Zahwa Arsy Azzahra, ST, MSi, a public relations representative for the International Community Service and Student Outbound Program of the Doctoral Program in Medical Science, said the team intentionally expanded information dissemination through media platforms to strengthen promotive and preventive health education efforts.

“We hope the message about maintaining physical health from childhood through old age can reach a broader community,” she said.

The Faculty of Nursing (FKp) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has further strengthened its international academic network through a Full-Time Staff Outbound program at the Faculty of Nursing, Prince of Songkla University (PSU) in Thailand, held from May 18–22, 2026. The initiative was part of an ongoing international research initiative titled “Decision-Making Support Model for ICU Nurses in Providing Culturally Based Palliative Care.”

Representing FKp UNAIR were Dr Yulis Setiya Dewi Skep Ns MNg and Dr Ninuk Dian Kurniawati SKep Ns MANP. During the five-day program, the delegation engaged in a series of academic activities with PSU faculty members, including joint research discussions, collaborative data analysis, research model development, and meetings aimed at exploring future strategic partnerships.

According to Dr. Yulis Setiya Dewi, the program was intended to enhance the quality of the ongoing study while creating broader opportunities for international collaboration in critical care and palliative nursing research. “Through intensive exchanges with PSU researchers, we gained valuable academic perspectives that will contribute to refining the Decision-Making Support Model for ICU nurses delivering cultural-based palliative care,” she said.

At a Joint Research Meeting on May 19, 2026, research teams from both universities reviewed findings from quantitative and qualitative studies and conducted collaborative data analysis to strengthen the reliability and rigor of the research. The discussions also produced a framework for developing two manuscripts that are expected to be submitted to internationally recognized academic journals.

Expanding double-degree initiatives

Beyond research collaboration, the UNAIR delegation met with PSU’s Deputy Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Deputy Dean for International Affairs. The discussions focused on opportunities to establish double-degree and joint-degree programs at the graduate level. The meetings also explored potential collaborative projects in cardiovascular critical and emergency care, as well as aesthetic nursing research, an area in which PSU has established significant academic expertise.

On May 21, 2026, the UNAIR delegation participated in a strategic meeting with the leadership of PSU’s Faculty of Nursing. The session resulted in a mutual commitment to expand cooperation in research, international publications, faculty and student exchanges, and the development of long-term global academic partnerships.

A notable outcome of the visit was the addition of two international scholars from PSU to FKp UNAIR’s Academic Peer List (APL): Prof. Dr. Waraporn Kongsuwan, a specialist in Critical Care Nursing, and Dr. Kanthima Meesoonthorn, an expert in Cardiovascular Nursing. Their participation is expected to further support the faculty’s internationalization efforts and strengthen the quality of its scholarly publications.

The program also reinforced existing international agreements, generated plans for future joint research initiatives, and opened discussions on postgraduate co-supervision, student exchange opportunities, scientific writing summer camps, and staff mobility programs.

Through the Full-Time Staff Outbound initiative, the Faculty of Nursing at UNAIR reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the internationalization of higher education and enhancing the university’s standing as a globally engaged institution through impactful academic and research collaborations.

The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) reaffirmed its commitment to coastal conservation by organizing an international community service program focused on mangrove planting in the Gunung Anyar Mangrove area in Surabaya on Wednesday (May 7, 2026).

The initiative brought together 80 students and five international lecturers from universities in Malaysia,  including Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia,  as well as from Thailand’s Kasetsart University and Silpakorn University. The event also involved 20 members of the academic community from FPK UNAIR’s undergraduate programs in Aquaculture and Fisheries Product Technology, along with graduate programs in Fisheries Product Biotechnology and Fisheries Science. Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Ir. Endang Dewi Masithah, M.P., and seven faculty members also attended the activity.

FPK UNAIR lecturer Ayulana Nafisyah, PhD, said the program represented a concrete contribution to sustainable coastal ecosystem rehabilitation efforts. Participants planted 100 mangrove seedlings in coastal areas that had previously been converted into aquaculture ponds.

She explained that the activity aimed to reforest the land and restore the ecological role of mangroves in maintaining environmental balance across terrestrial, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. “Beyond acting as a natural defense against coastal erosion and seawater intrusion, mangroves also provide habitats for aquatic species that support the sustainability of marine resources,” she said. Before the planting session, she also briefed participants on the ecological importance of mangroves.

The international community service program formed part of the university’s tridharma mission, particularly in the areas of community engagement and the internationalization of higher education. The participation of international students also reflected FPK UNAIR’s efforts to strengthen global collaboration centered on environmental sustainability issues. Cross-cultural interactions throughout the event further enriched participants’ learning experiences, particularly in understanding the challenges surrounding coastal ecosystem conservation in Indonesia.

During the program, participants were divided into groups to plant mangrove seedlings directly within the rehabilitation site. Prior to planting, the Gunung Anyar Mangrove management team provided guidance on the significance of mangrove ecosystems and proper planting techniques to ensure healthy seedling growth. Participants remained highly enthusiastic throughout the activity, especially as they became directly involved in coastal conservation efforts.

Vice Dean III Annur Ahadi Abdillah, SPi, MSi, PhD, said the initiative was designed not only to protect the environment but also to build collective awareness among students about the importance of sustainable coastal ecosystems. He added that the involvement of international students served as an important opportunity to strengthen global partnerships while introducing Indonesia’s conservation practices to the international community.

The activity also received recognition from the Head of the Surabaya Mangrove Botanical Garden Technical Implementation Unit (UPT), as reflected in an official certificate of appreciation. In addition to its ecological impact, the program served as an educational platform for students to better understand the importance of sustainable coastal resource management.

Through hands-on field experience, participants learned that conservation extends beyond theory and requires concrete action as well as collaboration among multiple stakeholders to ensure environmental sustainability. The program also aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 on Climate Action through coastal rehabilitation as a natural carbon sink, SDG 14 on Life Below Water by supporting coastal habitats and marine biodiversity, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through international collaboration among students and academic communities from different countries. Through the initiative, FPK UNAIR hopes to continue fostering environmental conservation awareness and contribute positively to the long-term sustainability of coastal ecosystems.