UNAIR Law Faculty alumnus listed in Fortune Indonesia 40 Under 40

Universitas Airlangga’s (UNAIR) Faculty of Law proudly celebrates the recognition of one of its esteemed graduates, Abraham Sridjaja, who has been named in the prestigious Fortune Indonesia 40 Under 40 list. As a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR-RI) Commission 1 representing the Golkar Party faction, this accolade highlights his impactful contributions to politics and public policy.

In an interview on Friday (February 7, 2025), Sridjaja conveyed his deep gratitude and honor upon receiving the distinction. He emphasized that this recognition is not solely a personal achievement but a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and support from his colleagues and various stakeholders.

“This acknowledgment motivates me to continue working toward meaningful contributions to Indonesia, particularly in the realms of public policy and national development,” he stated.

UNAIR influence on career and leadership

Sridjaja credited his academic experience at UNAIR as instrumental in shaping his leadership approach and strategic thinking in politics. He highlighted the university’s dynamic learning environment, critical discourse, and rigorous policy studies as key factors in his broad understanding of social, legal, and political affairs.

“UNAIR provided more than just education—it instilled character and cultivated invaluable networks,” he remarked. He noted that his interactions with professors, peers, and alumni expanded his perspective and reinforced his commitment to serving the nation.

Dare to dream and embrace challenges

As an influential young leader, Sridjaja shared an inspiring message with UNAIR students aspiring to leadership roles. He underscored the importance of daring to dream big and embracing challenges head-on.

“The world today demands young leaders who are innovative, adaptable, and possess unwavering integrity. Develop strong competencies, gain diverse experiences, and commit to lifelong learning. Additionally, uphold moral and ethical values in all endeavors, because true leadership is not merely about wielding power—it is about service and making a meaningful impact,” he advised.

Future goals and aspirations

Looking forward, Sridjaja remains dedicated to championing forward-thinking policies that deliver tangible benefits to society. “I want to ensure that the policies we implement produce real, positive impacts on communities,” he affirmed.

Moreover, he aims to help create an ecosystem that nurtures youth development, both through youth-focused policies and various empowerment and educational initiatives.

“I firmly believe that the most valuable investment for our nation’s future is empowering young people. With the right opportunities and access, they can become the driving force behind transformative change,” Sridjaja concluded.

Visit to the Office of Cooperatives and UMKM in Batubara Regency by IAP USU Students: Encouraging Local Business Growth

In an effort to understand the dynamics of developing micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM), students from the Public Administration Program at Universitas Sumatera Utara visited the Office of Cooperatives and UMKM in Batubara Regency. This visit provided important insights into the office’s role in supporting over 8,000 UMKM spread across 12 districts in the region.

The Office of Cooperatives and UMKM in Batubara Regency is committed to providing guidance and outreach to small business owners. One of their primary focuses is to assist in promoting and marketing UMKM products. Through various programs, the office aims to help UMKM in Batubara “level up” and compete in an increasingly competitive market.

During the visit, we learned that the office also conducts training on digital finance. Additionally, they assist entrepreneurs with the necessary permits, such as the Business Identification Number (NIB), halal certification, BPOM, and food safety outreach.

The governance activities carried out by the Office of Cooperatives and UMKM are routine, recognizing the importance for business owners to compete in marketing their products. However, the office faces challenges, including budget constraints and a lack of personnel to review all UMKM in Batubara.

The office also provides annual training and physical assistance. “We strive to support UMKM to grow and compete at both local and national levels,” said one of the office officials.

Potential UMKM products in Batubara Regency include songket, sambal kepah, sagon kampung, keripik gosong, and woven goods. The Office of Cooperatives and UMKM works to introduce these products through events held periodically, allowing the wider community to recognize and purchase local products.

Centers for UMKM development in Batubara Regency are not centralized in one location, but are spread across each district. For example, in the District of Lima Puluh Pesisir, there is UMKM Dangai Limonam, while in Sei Balai District, UMKM focuses on snack products.

However, challenges remain for UMKM entrepreneurs, particularly regarding operational costs and product packaging. The Office of Cooperatives and UMKM assists in packaging design, but entrepreneurs must bear the material costs themselves. This often becomes a barrier for those wishing to enhance their product’s appeal.

Regarding capital assistance, the Office of Cooperatives and UMKM provides support annually in the form of training, promotion, and equipment. This year, they are also expected to provide capital assistance. Furthermore, the office collaborates with Bank Indonesia and local companies to strengthen support for UMKM entrepreneurs.

With the introduction of new regulations such as Law No. 7 of 2021, which governs capital and UMKM criteria, the Office of Cooperatives and UMKM offers outreach to entrepreneurs to help them adapt to regulatory changes and the dynamic market conditions.

This visit demonstrates that the Office of Cooperatives and UMKM in Batubara Regency is committed to continuously supporting the development of UMKM in the region. Although challenges persist, their efforts in providing training, assistance, and product promotion are expected to encourage the growth of local businesses and enhance the competitiveness of UMKM products in Batubara at both national and international levels.

UNAIR Faculty of Veterinary Medicine introduces silage feed technology and marketing strategies to dairy farmers

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) recently conducted a community service event titled “Feed Management Improvement with Green Feed Processing Technology & Marketing Strategies for Dairy Cattle Post-FMD.” Held on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in Carangwulung Village, Wonosalam, Jombang, the program is aimed at local dairy farmers.

The event was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Sri Hidanah, the Head of FKH community service initiative. In her opening remarks, she hoped that the program would help farmers understand both food processing techniques and livestock product marketing strategies.

“Through this event, we hope all participants gain a better understanding of food processing and marketing techniques for livestock products. We will also provide further assistance with marketing,” she said.

Community service highlights

The program featured several sessions, each led by experts: Dr. Mohammad Anam Al Arif, Dr. Ira Sari Yudaniayanti, and Dr. Fatin Fadhilah Hasib. Dr. Emy Koestanti also participated, initiating a discussion on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other livestock health issues.

Dr. Mohammad Anam Al Arif began the presentations with an in-depth explanation of silage feed technology. The second session, led by Dr. Ira Sari Yudaniayanti, covered various causes of foot-and-mouth disease in livestock. The third session, presented by Dr. Fatin Fadhilah Hasib, focused on marketing dairy products.

Furthermore, the UNAIR team demonstrated proper silage-making techniques. Dr. Mohammad Anam Al Arif, along with a team of students, led the practical demonstration, which was observed by the attending farmers. Dr. Arif emphasized that proper silage-making practices significantly impact the quality of livestock and their products.

The community warmly welcomed the event, held at the Segunung Traditional Village Hall. Twenty-five residents and farmers attended. Widi Asmoro from the Anjasmoro Village Cooperative Unit (KUD) in Carangwulung represented the community’s and farmers’ responses.

In addition to Widi Asmoro, resident Gatot Sunarto expressed his appreciation for the FKH community service program. He found the event particularly helpful in terms of feed processing and livestock disease prevention. “This event has been very beneficial; my knowledge about cattle feed processing and disease prevention has increased. Many factors affect livestock health,” Sunarto said.

13th ICAS concluded, IIAS to continue collaboration with UNAIR

The 13th International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) officially concluded on Thursday, August 1, 2024. Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), through the Airlangga Institute of Indian Ocean Crossroads (AIIOC), hosted this prestigious event, which commenced on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

13th ICAS was made possible through a robust partnership between UNAIR’s AIIOC and the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), based in the Netherlands. Although 13th ICAS has been concluded, the collaboration between UNAIR and IIAS is set to continue.

Philippe Peycam, Director of IIAS, mentioned that the next step is to further develop AIIOC into a more significant unit. AIIOC initially started as a collaborative project between UNAIR and IIAS. “We will continue to work together to make AIIOC a successful unit, not just for the industry but also for the Indonesian government,” he stated.

Peycam noted that AIIOC has the potential to offer broader benefits to a wider audience. 13th ICAS has marked a significant milestone in AIIOC’s rapid development. “AIIOC has the potential to benefit not only UNAIR, the city of Surabaya, or East Java but also Indonesia and the entire world,” he said.

Exploring further collaboration

One of the potential areas of continued collaboration between UNAIR and IIAS is the establishment of a fellowship program. This program would provide opportunities for individuals to pursue further studies abroad.

“A fellowship will facilitate Indonesians in various activities, such as pursuing a PhD overseas and returning to their home country after the fellowship,” Peycam remarked on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

The fellowship can ease the exchange of knowledge across various disciplines. Peycam believes that AIIOC can grow into a research center as significant as IIAS, which has already become the largest Asian research center.

“Many people from around the world want to visit IIAS. Similarly, AIIOC has the opportunity to become a large interdisciplinary research center. They have successfully organized 13th ICAS, focusing on learning, discussion, and interdisciplinary research,” he explained.

Aiming reputation improvement

Peycam expressed his admiration for UNAIR’s efforts and dedication to its collaboration. UNAIR’s enthusiasm to enhance its reputation was highly praised by Peycam.

“UNAIR is always obsessed with enhancing its reputation, making various efforts including improving the quality of education. If UNAIR didn’t have this obsession, our collaboration might not have continued,” he said in an exclusive interview with UNAIR NEWS.

AIIOC Potential

Peycam is confident that within the next five to ten years, AIIOC will gain global recognition. An expanding AIIOC will facilitate the exchange of knowledge between countries.

“If people want to learn about Europe, Europeans can come to AIIOC without Indonesians needing to go to Europe. Although this requires a long process, I believe with cooperation, it is not impossible,” he emphasized.

Universitas Sumatera Utara, Humbang Hasundutan Regency: Advancing disaster mitigation through collaborative initiatives

Humbang Hasundutan (Humbahas) Regency is one of the disaster-prone areas in North Sumatera. The area is prone to landslides, which are exacerbated by deforestation and prolonged rainfall. The Humbahas region has a high rainfall intensity with a poor surface drainage system. This triggers hydrometeorological disasters in the form of floods and landslides. From these disasters, the society felt great losses such as infrastructure damage in residential areas, damage to plantations, rice fields, and crop failure. As an anticipatory step and implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, Lembaga Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat Universitas Sumatera Utara (LPPM USU) organizes disaster mitigation and adaptation activities through the Society Service Program (PKM) thematic disaster mitigation and adaptation.

The program, launched on July 4th, 2024, at the Bukit Barisan Hall in Humbahas Regency, represents a crucial collaboration between Lembaga Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat (LPPM) USU and the Humbahas regional government. This initiative aims to equip the region with the tools and knowledge to effectively minimize the impact of disasters. Tua Marsatti Marbun as a representative of the Humbahas Regency government stated about this launch signifies a commitment to provide stakeholders involved in the disaster mitigation program with the necessary resources and infrastructur.

The program operates under two distinct schemes: the PKM Assisted Village Program and the PKM Regular Mono Year. The PKM Assisted Village Program takes a long-term approach, providing multi-year support to designated villages. Conversely, the PKM Regular Mono Year program focuses on short-term interventions. Dr. Oding Effendy, the implementing coordinator of the disaster mitigation thematic activities, elaborated that both programs will run for seven months each year, spanning a total of nine locations and encompassing a range of activities.

The program tackles disaster preparedness on multiple fronts. One key activity involves the formation of Disaster Resilient Villages (DESTANA) which empowers communities to manage potential threats, environmental conservation (tree planting), economic development (sustainable tourism), and public health improvement. Furthermore, a unique initiative involves designing disaster mitigation gymnastics for elementary school students, aiming to instill a culture of preparedness from a young age.

The program launch fostered a vibrant discussion with Ir. Yusak Maryunianta, M.P. (Chief Executive of PKM Assisted Village), Dra. Fatma Wardy Lubis, M.A. (Chief Executive of PKM Regular Mono Year), Benthon Juber Lumban Gaol, ST., M.Si. (Head of BPBD North Sumatera), and Manutur Parulian Naibaho, S.Sos., S.H., M.Si. (Head of Prevention and Preparedness). One crucial concern raised was the need to address the underlying economic factors that contribute to environmental destruction. Recognizing this, USU emphasizes a holistic approach, extending its support beyond disaster mitigation and adaptation to encompass local economic development initiatives. By empowering communities economically, the program aims to reduce the pressure on natural resources driven by poverty. Through this activity, it is hoped that the entire implementation team and also the stakeholders involved will be able to realize each planned program so that it is right on target according to the needs of the society in Humbang Hasundutan Regency.

FISIP USU, TULAR NALAR MAFINDO organise an Academy Digital Lansia (ADL) class to digitally empower the elderly

To assist the elderly to be empowered by the internet, Tular Nalar 3.0 Mafindo with support from Google.org in collaboration with FISIP USU held an ACADEMI DIGITAL LANSIA (ADL) held at the Catholic Church ST. Fransiskus Asisi, Pasar 6 Padang Bulan, Medan City. This Akademi Digital Lansia (ADL) is a digital literacy training activity aimed at the elderly so that they are empowered to use digital media (internet).

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reports that the life expectancy (UHH) of the Indonesian population will reach 73.93 years in 2023. Based on the 2023 Elderly Population Statistics published by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), as many as 49.56% of the elderly already use gadgets. However, only a fifth have access to and use the internet. Elderly people, including vulnerable groups, need to be well-informed so that they are not easily fooled by digital fraud and the spread of fake news which is currently on the rise, especially ahead of a large-scale disaster, namely the regional head elections to be held in November 2024.

This activity was opened by RP.David D. Barus OFMConv. as Pastor of the Catholic Church of ST. Fransiskus Asisi Padang Bulan. In his remarks, Pastor David expressed his support for implementing the Academi Digital Lansia which is also considered important now. He expressed his full support for implementing this Academi Digital Lansia which is also expected to be carried out repeatedly and reach more elderly people from a wider range of areas, especially in the ST. Fransiskus Asisi Padang Bulan.

Also giving a speech, Yovita Sabarina Sitepu S.Sos., M.Si., as PIC Tular Nalar FISIP USU explained the Academi Digital Lansia that will be implemented along with a brief explanation of the assistance that will be carried out online after this Academi Digital Lansia activity is carried out. “The elderly are one of the groups that are vulnerable to becoming victims of digital crime today, therefore this activity aims to help improve the digital literacy skills of the Indonesian people, especially among the elderly,” he explained.

On a separate occasion, Mafindo Tular Nalar 3.0 Program Manager, Santi Indra Astuti, gave a speech and explained that Tular Nalar, which has been present since 2020, aims to instill the habit of critical thinking among the public while facing the upcoming information flow. “Currently we are dealing with the swift flow of thoughts and the flow of information that is challenging during the election period, so that is our current challenge,” she said in the welcome video.

The Academi Digital Lansia is carried out using the microteaching method, where one facilitator assists 10 participants, namely the elderly. The elderly are invited to recognize the challenges of the elderly in the digital world with BERBUDI (Bersama Bugar Digital). They are also introduced to fraud prevention measures with the concept of WAKUNCAR [Waspadai (Beware), Kunjungi (Visit), Cari (Search)], where in this segment the elderly are invited to analyze news with the ABCD game or Amati, Baca, Cari, Diskusikan (Observe, Read, Check the Facts, and Discuss). In this segment, the elderly are given the opportunity to discuss and analyze the news previously provided by the facilitator.

In addition to playing to discuss and analyze the news, the elderly are also introduced to the chaos that is usually found in content circulating on social media, namely Kacau IDE (Kacau Isi, Kacau Diri, and Kacau Emosi). At the end of the segment, the elderly and all facilitators held a cellphone exercise guided by the companion. The series of events went smoothly and enthusiastically.

Yovita said that, based on their observations during the activity, participants enthusiastically shared stories about fraud that happened to their acquaintances and misinformation that they received during the last presidential election season. Even during the “senam ponsel”, the elderly were so enthusiastic that the exercise was repeated twice. “Next week, during the mentoring activity, hopefully the participants will be able to apply the Wakuncar technique when receiving suspicious information either from WhatsApp, Facebook, or SMS,” she explained.

In collaboration with Petronas, FST plants a thousand mangrove trees

The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has launched the International Community Service initiative titled “Mangrove for Sustainable Coastal Environment: 1000 Trees.” The event took place on Thursday, June 4, 2024, at the Mangrove Botanical Garden in Gunung Anyar, Surabaya. rnrnThis initiative is a collaborative effort involving various organizations, including Petronas, the UNAIR SDGs Center, and the Indonesia SDGs Center Network (ISCN). The FST team involved 12 inbound students from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), FST ambassadors as liaison officers, and representatives from Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE). rnrnThe event was attended by Dr. Fatmawati, Vice Dean III of FST; Eva Dwi Komalasari, S.P., Head of UPTD KRM; Bayu Arie Fianto, Ph.D., President of the Indonesia SDGs Center; and Taufik Harwanto, a representative from Petronas. rnrnThe FST’s Enviro Fest program has been running for two years, beginning in 2023.

This year’s activities continued the tradition of planting 1000 mangrove seedlings. rnrn“Since last year, we’ve used the same location and program, planting mangrove seedlings at the Mangrove Botanical Garden in Gunung Anyar. Last year, we collaborated with international students from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and different partners,” explained Dimas, the program’s coordinator. rnrnDr. Fatmawati, Vice Dean III of FST UNAIR, explained that Enviro Fest aims to preserve the resilience of the mangrove ecosystem, ensuring the environment remains protected and sustainable. rnrn“This initiative is an effort to maintain the ecosystem’s resilience, keeping it fresh and safe. We hope that the human resources involved will contribute to the sustainability of this location.

This activity is a form of commitment to maintaining the mangrove environment,” she explained. rnrnIn conclusion, Dr. Fatmawati hopes that planting a thousand trees would bring great benefits and provide valuable experiences for participants. “I hope you all enjoy this experience and gain professional experience, ensuring the tasks are carried out to their fullest potential,” she concluded.

ITS initiates extension of FICEM consortium, expanding academic networks between leading universities in France, Indonesia

Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), one of the ten Indonesian universities in the FICEM Consortium (French Indonesian Consortium in Engineering and Management), led the effort to extend this esteemed partnership on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The consortium extension meeting was hosted hybrid. The institution took a significant step in strengthening academic ties between France and Indonesia.

Formed on March 9, 2015, in Medan, the FICEM Consortium includes nine renowned engineering and management schools from Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT) and ten top universities in Indonesia. As the original agreement neared its end, ITS initiated the renewal of this valuable partnership.

The renewal underscores the successful collaborations among consortium members in student mobility, research projects, and the exchange of PhD students, lecturers, and researchers. These efforts have significantly strengthened academic, research, and business links between Indonesia and France. Between 2022 and 2023, the consortium produced over 25 alumni and supported numerous research projects and joint conferences, including the Maritime Continent Fulcrum International Conference (MaCiFIC) 2022 and the International Conference on Sustainable Engineering Development and Technological Innovation (ICSEDTI) 2023.

In recognition of the consortium’s achievements, ITS proposed several vital initiatives to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Firstly, it aims to explore funding opportunities to support mobility and research programs within the network. Moreover, it also inducts more possibilities to diversify the range of programs that can be implemented. ITS suggested extending the MoU for another seven years, from 2024 to 2030.

By renewing the FICEM Consortium, ITS reaffirmed the enhancement of fruitful academic and research collaborations between leading universities in France and Indonesia.

UNAIR FIKKIA, CMU Philippines conduct On the Job Training programme

The Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Natural Sciences (FIKKIA) Banyuwangi has successfully held the “On the Job Training (OJT) at FIKKIA Universitas Airlangga.” This program is the initial result of a collaboration between the College of Veterinary Medicine, Central Mindanao University (CMU) and the Veterinary Medicine Study Program at FIKKIA. Conducted from April 22 to May 10, 2024, the program provided CMU students with the opportunity to engage in various practical activities designed to expand their knowledge and skills in the field of veterinary medicine.

CMU students involved in these activities were Bernard Vincent Diaz Calo, Kyla Gabas, Hannah Portia Luberas, Jeila Golosino, Leralyn Gonzales, and Lourdes Faye Cablay. They are students in the internship phase in Veterinary Medicine in the Philippines. The On the Job Training (OJT) activities included microbiological analysis, molecular diagnostics, animal product processing, veterinary health examinations, and parasitology examinations on wild animals. Furthermore, they studied reproductive diagnostics, artificial insemination, conservation in Baluran National Park, and a computer-based final exam (CBT).

Bernard Vincent Diaz Carlo admitted that he gained a lot of new knowledge and experience at FIKKIA. He also enjoyed the opportunity to visit several tourist attractions in Banyuwangi, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Meanwhile, Lourdes Faye Cablay reported that on May 17, 2024, they presented a narrative report of activities during the OJT to Jose M Obedencio Jr as Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Central Mindanao University. “Dr. Jose was very enthusiastic to hear about our experiences. Thank you to the lecturers and students of FIKKIA. We are very grateful for this experience,” she said.

With the end of the OJT program, FIKKIA UNAIR and CMU have successfully built a strong foundation for collaboration in Veterinary Medicine. This program\’s success not only enriched the students’ knowledge and skills but also strengthened the academic collaboration between the two institutions. Dr Aditya Yudhana hoped that this collaboration could continue and develop. It can, in particular, benefit students and the veterinary world, both in Indonesia and the Philippines.

FISIP USU communication students hold digital media literacy socialisation in schools to overcome low literacy levels in Indonesia

The widespread use of social media is unavoidable in today’s digital era. The young generation are the ones who will determine the future of Indonesia’s media literacy. Based on a survey conducted by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) released by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2019, Indonesia ranked 62nd out of 70 countries, or the bottom 10 countries with low literacy levels.

Although the literacy rate in Indonesia is still relatively low, Indonesians actively use the internet, especially in terms of online shopping and social media usage. Data shows that everyone has at least one mobile device with a fairly high percentage of social media users, which is 60% of the total population.

Due to this particular issue, the Communication Science student groups of Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik (FISIP) of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) held socializations at SMK Perguruan Nasional Brigjend Katamso 1 and SMAS Prayatna Medan that involved a total of 81 students. These activities were held on May 15 and 22, 2024 with two themes: “Recognizing ‘Infinite Scroll’ Addiction in Teenagers” and “How Ads and Clicks Shape the Internet and Deconstruction Media Message”.

The purpose of these socializations are to raise students’ awareness about the importance of literacy in the digital era, provide knowledge about the dangers of excessive use of smartphones and social media, and teach them how to limit and moderate their time on social media.

In addition, these socialization s also aim to provide a basic understanding of how to be wise in media literacy, identify good and bad advertisements and clicks, to understand the deconstruction of digital media in the digital era.

In this socialization, the college students educated the students in each school about life in a digital world filled with information and communication technology that continues to grow, facilitating human work, especially with the existence of smartphones that are being used every day and had become an inseparable aspect in our lives.

However, on a smartphone, there are many dangers that might go unnoticed. One of them is the bad habit of surfing in social media until you lose track of time. One can feel too comfortable on social media because of infinite scrolling, a feature where the social media continues to display content without limit or end. This leads to the “inability to stop scrolling on social media” as the algorithm displays content that matches the user’s interests.

Through this socialization, the college students hope that the students that they taught can apply the fundamental aspects of media literacy, such as how to moderate the use of smartphones, be aware of why we can’t stop scrolling, be aware of the harmful effects that are caused by social media, be able to differentiate good and bad clicks, understand the deconstruction of media messages, act wisely and critically in the use of digital media, and help educate family, friends, and the surrounding environment who have not been exposed to this knowledge.