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Tag: Indonesia

UNAIR secures 5-Star HURS Rating

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again earned international recognition, this time receiving a 5-star rating in the Healthy University Rating System (HURS), a regional assessment spearheaded by the ASEAN University Network–Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN).

Asian-wide healthy campus evaluation

Dr. Sri Widati, Head of UNAIR’s Airlangga Health Promotion Center (AHPC), explained that HURS serves as a regional benchmark for healthy campuses across Asia. “HURS is a health-focused university rating system developed by AUN-HPN. It includes several evaluation criteria—ranging from infrastructure and institutional systems to zero-tolerance policies, health-oriented curricula, and campus health promotion programs,” she said.

She elaborated that the Zero Tolerance Policy addresses seven prohibited areas, including smoking, alcohol, gambling, bullying, sexual violence, and other safety concerns. Infrastructure assessments examine whether campus facilities are accessible for individuals with disabilities, include anti-slip flooring, and offer adequate sports amenities. “Last year we earned a 4-star rating. This year, thankfully, UNAIR has advanced to 5 stars,” she noted.

UNAIR key programs and innovations

According to Sri Widati, achieving a 5-star rating requires strong performance across all evaluation areas. “Each variable must meet high standards. Our systems, infrastructure, zero-tolerance enforcement, curriculum, and health promotion initiatives all play a crucial role,” she explained.

UNAIR has continued to introduce improvements, notably through its installation of solar panels in nearly every university building. Health promotion programs have also been expanded to reach all faculties across UNAIR’s four campuses—Surabaya, Gresik, Lamongan, and Banyuwangi.

“We’ve conducted direct outreach to faculties, offering medical inspections, healthy lifestyle education, and our Happy and Healthy Lifestyle program. These efforts have significantly boosted UNAIR’s performance,” she said.

This year, UNAIR also prioritized the development of its Healthy Canteen initiative. In partnership with the Ministry of Health, local health departments, and the Halal Center, UNAIR provided training to 85 canteen vendors. In addition to educational programs, UNAIR and local health authorities conducted clinical testing of food products to ensure compliance with health standards.

“We carried out surprise inspections and held training for food handlers and managers. When vendors fall short of the standards, we offer feedback and improvement plans. Our goal is to ensure all UNAIR canteens meet health requirements,” she added.

Deep commitment to a happy and healthy campus

Sri Widati emphasized that the 5-star rating is a byproduct of UNAIR’s ongoing dedication to creating a healthy and fulfilling environment for its academic community. “The 5-star recognition is a bonus. What matters most is that we’re doing the right thing to support the well-being of our entire campus. Our ultimate goal is for every member of UNAIR to feel both healthy and happy,” she stated.

She also stressed that UNAIR’s primary mission has never been to pursue accolades. “Everything we do is sincere and aimed at making our academic community feel truly well. When that effort is made wholeheartedly, it naturally leads to recognition—such as this international 5-star rating. That’s what makes it so meaningful for us,” she concluded.

Village Regulation Tackles Waste

Posted on by Anastasya Hasugian

Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) conducted a Community Service Program in Pakam Village, Batu Bara, through focus group discussions (FGD) and Community Training & Development held at the Hall of the Cooperative and Small and Medium Enterprises Office of Batu Bara Regency.

This community service program is part of Desa Binaan USU’s Program, carried out by a group of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences lecturers from various academic programs. The program is titled “Development of Village Regulations on Household Waste Management and Small Business Operations to Support Economic Empowerment in Pakam Village.”

Desa Binaan USU’s Program is a community service program run by the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) with the aim of developing village potential through various empowerment activities. The program involves students and lecturers from various disciplines to provide solutions to problems in the villages and improve the quality of life of the villagers.

This series of community service activities consists of training and development programs for housewives, who are organized into groups of workers involved in the processing of shellfish waste. Additionally, the development of village regulations on household waste management is being undertaken to support the local economy. The FGD activity was conducted to explore the aspirations of local government officials and relevant parties to align perceptions regarding the formulation of village regulations on household waste management and small businesses to support community economic empowerment in Pakam Village.

This FGD invited relevant parties such as local governments, sub-districts, and districts, with a total of 17 participants. The training and development activities themselves were attended by 19 participants, predominantly housewives.

This service team is led by Dra. Februati Trimurni, M.Si., Ph.D., with members comprising USU lecturers from various disciplines (programs of study), namely Dr. Muhammad Arifin Nasution, S.Sos., Wiro Oktavius Ginting, S.Sos., M.Si., Dra. Dara Aisyah, M.Si., Ph.D., and Siti Hazzah Nur. R, S.Sos., M.AP., from the Public Administration program. Additionally, there are Dr. Yovita Sabarina Sitepu, S.Sos., M.Si. from the Communication Studies program and Dr. Onan Marakali Siregar, S.Sos., M.Si from the Business Administration Program.

 

Dra. Februati Trimurni, M.Si., Ph.D., as the head of the community service program, explained that the initiative to draft village regulations and empower the community arose from community complaints about waste and the potential that exists.

“Complaints (from the community) regarding this waste have reached us (the community service team), and we also see potential here. The hope is that after this, waste management will become part of village regulations, so that its management and results will be maximized,” said Februati.

According to Ratna Dewi (housewife), a participant in the training and development program, they have been managing tamin (shellfish) waste for approximately four years. Unfortunately, they are working independently. The local government provides support but does not have full authority over the activities carried out by Ratna and her colleagues.

Ratna hopes that the arrival of the USU community service team can improve the welfare of female workers at Tamin. “Our hope here is that this activity can be carried out again by USU, not just this once, so that the number of working mothers can increase because there is support,” added Ratna.

Drs. Bambang Hadi Suprapto, M.Si., as the Assistant for Economy and Development at the Batu Bara Regency Secretariat, who was also present to deliver a speech and open the FGD event, expressed his hopes following the completion of this activity. “We hope that this activity will enable Pakam Village to become a pioneer for other villages. We also need the support of academics to identify the basic potential and opportunities that can be managed, of course through a commitment to building synergy with USU,” said Bambang in his speech.

Given the natural resources and human capital available, proper management of waste could be developed into a new source of income for the community, thereby boosting the local economy. It is truly regrettable if existing resources are not managed effectively. The outcomes of community service initiatives advocating for waste management to be formalized into village regulations (perdes) mark the first step toward enhancing the economic well-being of the community.

Zimbabwe Embassy visits UNAIR

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

As part of its commitment to global engagement in education, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) welcomed delegates from the Embassy of Zimbabwe on Friday (June 20, 2025) at the Balai Rua Meeting Room, MERR-C Campus Management Office. The meeting focused on exploring strategies for potential academic collaboration between UNAIR and institutions in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean delegation included Z.R. Churu, M. Makururu, Dr. W. Kachere, C. Taringa, E. Chaoneka, and W. Mungate. Representing UNAIR were Prof. Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto DEA, DVM, Vice Rector for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs, and Dina Septiani, BComm, MComn, PhD, Deputy Director of Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE).

During the discussion, Mr. Churu highlighted Zimbabwe’s ongoing collaborations with Indonesia, including scholarship and postgraduate programs. He also emphasized the potential for deeper engagement with UNAIR to enhance international exposure and broaden educational impact for Zimbabwean students.

“We are eager to work with UNAIR on educational initiatives such as student exchanges, joint degree programs, scholarships for Zimbabwean students, and collaborative research. We are also grateful to UNAIR for welcoming Zimbabwean students to study in Indonesia,” he remarked.

In response, AGE representative Dina Septiani outlined several opportunities for bilateral cooperation in education. She emphasized that these initiatives could foster mutual knowledge exchange and further strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries.

“We are fully open to future partnerships. UNAIR can offer staff and student exchange programs, joint lectures, research co-supervision, collaborative studies, and international internships. For scholarships, the Indonesian AID program from the Ministry of Finance currently supports three academic disciplines: psychology, pharmacy, and Islamic economics,” she explained.

Dina also introduced the Airlangga Development Scholarship (ADS) for international students at the master’s and doctoral levels. This scholarship includes free Indonesian language training, full tuition coverage, and living expense support.

“UNAIR also provides scholarships for one-semester exchange programs, covering tuition fees, English-language classes, and Indonesian language instruction. Students not enrolled in regular coursework may instead participate in internships or research activities tuition-free,” she concluded.

Branding and Marketing Seminar

Posted on by NizaErvia

Product identity and marketing strategy have become fundamental to the success of selling goods and services. In today’s increasingly competitive market landscape, communities are required not only to produce goods but also to understand how to present their products effectively to consumers. For small and medium enterprises in rural areas, branding and marketing often remain underdeveloped aspects.

In Pemepek Village, Pringgarata Subdistrict, Central Lombok, small-scale businesses have been steadily emerging as a community-driven effort to improve household and village-level economies. Various local groups have tapped into surrounding natural resources, from agricultural yields to home-based food processing, to create value-added products. However, many of these products still face low competitiveness due to a limited understanding of modern branding and digital marketing techniques.

To address this challenge, students of the University of Mataram‘s 2025 Community Service Program (Kuliah Kerja Nyata or KKN) initiated a capacity-building seminar titled “Meningkatkan Daya Saing Produk melalui Branding, Marketing, dan Kesetaraan Gender Pelaku Usaha” (Enhancing Product Competitiveness through Branding, Marketing, and Gender Equality in Entrepreneurship) held on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, at the KHDTK Rarung Hall. The program specifically targeted two active business groups in Repok Pidendang Hamlet: the Women Farmers Group (Kelompok Wanita Tani Mekar Harum) and the Cooperative Syari’ah Wana Makmur Lestari.

For the KKN students, community engagement is not merely a ceremonial activity but a direct embodiment of Indonesia’s Tri Dharma of Higher Education, teaching, research, and community service. This initiative served as a bridge between theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom and the practical needs of society.

“We witnessed firsthand how many local entrepreneurs produce high-quality goods but struggle to sell them due to unattractive packaging or limited digital marketing skills,” one of the student organizers said. “Through this activity, we aimed to share knowledge while learning from the community.”

The seminar featured key speakers from the Cooperative and Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Service of Central Lombok, including Endang Triwindusari, SP., MM (Head of SME Division), Ani (Young Functional Expert for Small Medium Enterprises), and Baiq Mentari (Technical Staff for Small Medium Enterprises). Discussions included building strong local product identities, utilizing platforms like Instagram and e-marketplaces, and applying packaging standards aligned with modern retail expectations.

Beyond the technical aspects, the seminar also highlighted the importance of gender equality in entrepreneurship. Professor Dr. Ir. Ruth Stella Petrunella Thei, M.S., Lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram, delivered a session on Gender Equality. She stressed that inclusive village development cannot be achieved without empowering women.

“Men and women have equal rights and opportunities. Gender is a social construct that evolves. Empowering women in the economic sector is part of building sustainable communities,” she stated during the session.

The initiative was well received by the local government. Muhali, the village secretary of Pemepek, expressed his appreciation and support for the program, noting its positive impact on strengthening local business capacity in the face of a changing market environment.

Participants remained engaged throughout the event, actively posing questions and discussing marketing challenges, many of which stem from relying solely on traditional sales methods such as word-of-mouth or local markets.

Through this activity, the University of Mataram students not only shared academic insights but also fostered intergenerational collaboration and mutual learning. The long-term goal is to empower Usaha Mikro, Kecil dan Menengah (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), particularly women-led groups, to grow their businesses independently, creatively, and sustainably.a

FISIP USU Student Takes Global Step to Rome

Posted on by Tabitha Riyani Simbolon

Shafa Yasmin As Sajidah, a student from the Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), has been selected to participate in a student exchange program at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. She will spend one semester in Rome during the Fall term of the 2025–2026 academic year, as part of a bilateral collaboration between USU and Sapienza University of Rome.

Shafa was nominated by the Kantor Urusan Internasional (KUI) of Universitas Sumatera Utara after successfully passing a document-based selection process. The requirements included a minimum GPA of 3.00 and a foreign language proficiency certificate at the B2 level or higher. She independently managed the entire application process, including document preparation, form submissions, visa arrangements, and securing accommodation.

At Sapienza University of Rome, Shafa will take courses at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Although most Political Science classes at the host university are taught in Italian, the academic system allows exchange students to enroll in interdisciplinary subjects that are relevant to their major and eligible for credit transfer at Universitas Sumatera Utara.

The program adopts a co-funding model: tuition fees are waived by the host university, while expenses such as travel, visa, accommodation, and daily living costs are the responsibility of the participant. In preparing for her departure, Shafa also consulted with members of the Indonesian Student Association in Rome (ISAR) for guidance and support.

Her participation highlights how students at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences actively pursue international opportunities with initiative and independence. While the faculty is not directly involved in the program’s administration, it supports academic flexibility to enable students to engage in similar initiatives when applicable.

“This is my first time going aboard. I felt nervous at first, but my excitement is even greater. I hope this becomes the starting point for more opportunities, both for myself and others on campus,” said Shafa.

Her journey reflects a broader trend of Indonesian students participating in international academic exchanges, underscoring the growing global engagement of institutions like Universitas Sumatera Utara.

Collaboration between UPI & Tashkent State University

Posted on by UNIVERSITAS PENDIDIKAN INDONESIA

Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia welcomed the arrival of the leaders of Tashkent State University of Economics, namely Sirojiddin Juramorodovich Yangiboev as Dean of the Faculty of International Double Degree Program TSUE, Sultanbek Azatdinov as Faculty member of TSUE and Sultonali Umaralievich Mekhmonov as Vice Rector for Academic Affairs TSUE to carry out the signing of the extension of the implementation of cooperation between the Faculty of Economics and Business Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia with Tashkent State University of Economics, Uzbekistan.

 

Rector Universitas Pendidikan INdonesia, Prof. Dr. Didi Sukyadi, M.A. expressed his appreciation for the extension of the implementation of the collaboration between the Faculty of Economics and Business Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, and Tashkent State University of Economics, Uzbekistan. Prof. Dr. Didi Sukyadi, M.A. was present and signed the implementation of the collaboration which is valid for 5 years starting from 2025 to 2029.

 

Dean of FPEB UPI, Prof. Dr. Ratih Hurriyati, MP, CSBA and Prof. Dr. Didi Sukyadi, MA were present in person and signed the implementation of the cooperation which is valid for 5 years starting from 2025 to 2029.

 

Dean of FPEB UPI, Prof. Dr. Ratih Hurriyati, MP, CSBA explained that the implementation of the collaboration was carried out in the Tridharma program, Dual Bachelor Degree program, Dual Master Degree collaboration in the fields of Accounting, Management, Economic Education and International conferences.

 

Prof. Dr. Ratih Hurriyati, MP, CSBA explained that it was a special opportunity for FPEB UPI because we would be hosting our valued partners from TSUE. “As we know, this collaboration is an important milestone for both of our institutions, and we are proud of the progress that has been achieved, especially through the dual degree program that continues to benefit our students and encourage mutual academic enrichment,” she said.

 

Collaborative agenda not only reflects on our past achievements but also explores future initiatives and ensures continued success. He hopes that this visit, which includes a tour of our academic facilities, will provide a deeper understanding of our environment and our commitment to academic excellence and student well-being.

USU Supports Women Empowerment Abroad

Posted on by Tabitha Riyani Simbolon

Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) continues to demonstrate its commitment to global issues through internationally oriented community engagement programs. One of its recent initiatives focuses on promoting the welfare and resilience of Indonesian Female Migrant Workers (PMPI) in Hong Kong. From June 15 to 17, 2025, Universitas Sumatera Utara carried out a community service program titled “Resilient PMPI: Building Resilience and Welfare of Indonesian Female Migrant Workers through the Strengthening of Psychological, Gender, and Social Capacities.” The initiative was implemented in collaboration with the Association of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Hong Kong (ATKI-HK) and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (UNSOED).

Universitas Sumatera Utara delegation consisted of Dr. Harmona Daulay (expert in gender sociology), Dr. Meutia Nauly (psychology), Dr. Detania Sukarja (economic law), and Fredick Broven Ekayanta (political science). They were joined by Dr. Tyas Retno Wulan, S.Sos., M.Si., from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (UNSOED). This interdisciplinary collaboration brought together diverse perspectives in addressing the complex challenges faced by Indonesian female migrant workers. By integrating sociological, psychological, legal, and political approaches, the team was able to propose more holistic and field-responsive solutions.

The program was founded on the reality that many Indonesian female migrant workers in Hong Kong face serious challenges, including intense work pressure, limited access to mental health services, discrimination, and a lack of legal literacy. These difficulties became even more severe during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to increased social isolation and heavier workloads. “Many of them do not have access to adequate work facilities or private rooms to rest. Some sleep in kitchens. Other serious cases include out-of-wedlock pregnancies and abuse by employers,” explained Dr. Harmona Daulay.

Using an educational and participatory approach, the program aimed to support PMPI in strengthening their psychological and social resilience. The participants were also encouraged to understand their rights as migrant workers, develop gender awareness, and foster community solidarity. “The goal is for migrant women to develop gender consciousness, understand social remittances, and recognize that when they face problems, they can turn to the law for protection,” she added.

This initiative successfully created a safe and empowering learning environment while strengthening social networks among participants. The outcomes of the program will be further developed into educational materials, video documentation, and academic publications in order to expand its impact. This initiative is also part of USU’s internationalization strategy and supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting gender equality, protecting migrant workers, and improving social welfare.

Through this program, Universitas Sumatera Utara affirms its role beyond academia as a committed partner in advancing humanity and social justice. For Indonesian migrant women in Hong Kong, the presence of the team became a gesture of solidarity and meaningful support.

UNAIR and UNICEF to advance children’s rights

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) hosted the Public Dissemination of the East Java 2025–2029 Integrated Sub-National Financing Framework (ISFF) on Thursday (June 12, 2025). The event took place in the Majapahit Room, 5th Floor of the ASEEC Tower on UNAIR’s Dharmawangsa-B Campus, and served as a forum to explore alternative regional financing strategies aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular emphasis on children’s rights.

The initiative was a collaboration between UNICEF, the East Java Provincial Government, and UNAIR through the Airlangga Institute for Learning and Growth (AILG). It brought together representatives from government ministries, international institutions, academia, and multi-sector development partners to address how sub-national financing models can accelerate inclusive development.

ISFF: Bridging policy for regional financing

Dr. Eko Supeno, Chair of AILG, praised the initiative and emphasized the importance of ISFF in promoting equitable development—especially for children. “UNAIR is committed to making a meaningful contribution through research and policy advocacy,” he said.

Also in attendance was Wiwien Apriliani from Indonesia’s National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), who emphasized ISFF’s potential as a planning tool to identify development needs and funding priorities. She noted that East Java is the first province to localize the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), originally introduced at the United Nations in 2015. “This ISFF document was first introduced at the UN in 2015, and has since become a vital framework guiding local SDG implementation,” she explained.

Tackling stunting and water access challenges

UNICEF Indonesia’s Chief of Social Policy, Yoshimi Nishino, pointed out that one in four children in East Java lives in poverty and that 47 percent suffer from stunting. Addressing these issues, she said, will require innovative financing strategies. “We want to drive cross-sector collaboration so that development funding extends beyond government budgets. This includes tapping into private sector investment, philanthropy, and zakat institutions,” she said.

UNICEF estimates that achieving the SDGs in East Java by 2030 will require approximately IDR 1,700 trillion. The ISFF document has already identified 17 public and private financing opportunities totaling around IDR 200 trillion. This represents a significant starting point for tackling stunting, expanding access to clean water and sanitation, and improving human development outcomes.

Responding to the challenges highlighted by UNICEF, Dr. Tri Wahyu Liswati, Head of East Java’s Office for Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population (DP3AK), emphasized the strong collaboration between local government and UNICEF in advancing child-focused initiatives.

“ISFF reflects our shared commitment with UNICEF to develop accountable and sustainable financing solutions that serve the future of East Java’s children,” she said.

Organizers hope this dissemination event serves not just as a ceremonial milestone, but as the first step toward meaningful collective action and long-term investment in children’s futures across East Java.(*)

ITS’ Professor Awarded Prestigious UK Grant

Posted on by ITS Global Engagement

A groundbreaking achievement from the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has once again placed Indonesia on the international research map. Professor Dr. rer. pol. Heri Kuswanto, a leading expert from the Department of Statistics at ITS, has been awarded a prestigious research grant from the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).

Out of around 120 global submissions, only 21 research proposals were selected by ARIA, and ITS stands proudly as the only institution from Indonesia to receive this honor. With a grant totaling £345,000, Prof. Heri now joins the ranks of researchers from world-renowned institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London.

His research project, titled “Towards Robust and Unbiased Validation of SAI Simulations (TRUSS): Advancing Ensemble Calibration for Reliable Geoengineering Impact Analysis”, aims to tackle a major challenge in climate science, ensuring that simulations used in geoengineering, specifically Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), are reliable and free from bias. SAI is a form of Solar Radiation Management (SRM), an increasingly discussed technology that involves dispersing particles in the stratosphere to reflect sunlight and reduce global temperatures.

“Current climate models often rely on averaging data across multiple simulations, overlooking the significant variability between models. This leads to biased results and can jeopardize climate policy decisions,” Prof. Heri explained. To address this, the TRUSS project proposes an innovative approach by integrating Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) with machine learning algorithms such as XGBoost. The goal: a more robust and scientifically valid framework for evaluating the impact of SRM. “This isn’t just a technical breakthrough; it will provide crucial scientific evidence to guide future global climate strategies,” he emphasized. The research will focus on Indonesia and Southeast Asia, analyzing how SRM might influence extreme droughts, rainfall patterns, and other regional climate indicators. Model validation will be performed by comparing simulations with historical climate data.

Prof. Heri, who recently participated in the Degrees Global Forum (DGF) 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, is collaborating with international experts, including Dr. Daniela Visioni from Cornell University (USA) and Dr. Matthew Henry from the UK. The three-year project will also engage two fellow ITS Statistics lecturers and five students from statistics and informatics programs, ensuring strong local capacity building in data science and climate modeling.

Originally from Gresik, Prof. Heri views this grant not only as a personal achievement but also as a testament to Indonesia’s scientific capability on the world stage. “This recognition affirms ITS’ position as a global player in cutting-edge, fundamental research,” he said. The TRUSS project directly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—most notably Goal 13: Climate Action, Goal 4: Quality Education, and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. It strengthens the role of higher education in fostering innovation and global collaboration to safeguard the future of our planet. This achievement also reflects ITS’ growing impact as a world-class research university—a hub where local brilliance meets global challenges.

 

Hungarian Embassy collaborates with UNAIR

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) welcomed a visit from the Hungarian Embassy on Wednesday (June 4, 2025), highlighting promising prospects for academic collaboration between Hungarian educational institutions and UNAIR. The visit included a formal meeting held at the Rectorate Room, 4th Floor, UNAIR Management Office, Campus MERR-C.

UNAIR was represented by Vice Rector for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Dr. Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto DEA, Drh; Vice Rector for Internationalization, Digitalization, and Information Prof. Dr. Muhammad Miftahussurur, Dr., M.Kes., Sp.PD-KGEH, Ph.D.; Deputy Director of Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE) Dina Septiani, Ph.D.; and AGE International Corners Coordinator Ahmad Safril Mubah, Ph.D. Representing Hungarian Embassy were H.E. Lilla Karsay, Ambassador of Hungary in Jakarta and Cultural and Education Attaché Patricia Nora Pankovics.

Prof. Lukiswanto highlighted that UNAIR has established academic partnerships with 24 of the 27 European Union member states. “Our international collaborations were primarily facilitated through the International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program, which enabled approximately 128 students to study in Europe. Unfortunately, the IISMA program could not be continued due to recent policy changes by the Indonesian government,” he explained.

Strategic initiatives and flagship programs

Prof. Miftahussurur shared UNAIR’s efforts to enhance educational quality, particularly through digitalization. One of the university’s major strides in this area is the implementation of e-learning platforms. He emphasized that digital transformation is essential both as a system integrator and as a foundation for developing flagship programs.

“UNAIR’s e-learning program was launched in response to the inevitable shift in learning methods during the pandemic, marking a significant step toward adaptable, modern education,” said Prof. Miftahussurur.

UNAIR also introduced programs designed to attract international students. Dr. Mubah, speaking as the Coordinator of International Corners at AGE, presented the AMERTA program (Academic Mobility Exchange for Undergraduate and Master at Airlangga). AMERTA allows international students to study at UNAIR for one semester, offering courses that reflect Indonesia’s distinctive academic and cultural perspectives.

“This program welcomes international students interested in courses offering unique Indonesian perspectives, particularly in the fields of social and cultural studies, economics, natural sciences, and health or life sciences,” he explained.

Opportunities for bilateral cooperation

Ambassador Karsay affirmed Hungary’s commitment to advancing educational collaboration. She mentioned various academic offerings including double-degree, triple-degree, and Ph.D. programs, alongside scholarship opportunities for international students.

“We are open to broad collaborations, particularly involving UNAIR’s many faculties. We also hope to facilitate guest lectures by UNAIR professors at universities in Hungary,” said Ambassador Karsay.

She also pointed to existing partnerships between Hungarian and Indonesian institutions, particularly in research and development. “These include partnerships in education and nuclear science. We also have an MoU with Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) focusing on nuclear cooperation,” she added.