Tag: Universitas Airlangga

Deployed to areas hit by flash floods and landslides, the Ksatria Airlangga Hospital Ship (RSKKA) team from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has continued to provide comprehensive medical assistance to affected residents. On Saturday (13/12/2025), the team delivered both general and specialist healthcare services to the community of Limo Badak, Malalak Subdistrict, Agam Regency.

Strengthening collaboration

RSKKA volunteer dr. Wildan Hartawan said the latest health outreach was conducted in partnership with Universitas Brawijaya (UB) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). “Our team included one psychiatry resident (PPDS), one pediatric resident (PPDS), and two general practitioners. We also received support from an internal medicine resident (PPDS) and a consultant psychiatrist/mental health specialist, Sp.KJ(K), from UB,” he explained.

He added that the program was organized in response to post-disaster conditions, as many residents still face limited access to healthcare facilities. Through this initiative, a total of 123 patients received medical treatment, ranging from routine health checkups to care provided by specialist physicians.

“We carried out basic health screenings, including vital sign checks, general practitioner consultations at the general clinic, and specialist consultations based on each patient’s needs. Residents were also offered free blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid tests when indicated. After consultations, medications were provided at no cost,” he said.

“After completing services and discussions at the post, we also conducted home visits for patients with mental health conditions, children, and pregnant women,” he continued.

Listening to community needs

The medical outreach is part of broader efforts to support the recovery of the local health sector, particularly for communities that continue to struggle with access to medical care. Beyond clinical services, the team also held discussions with residents to better understand their needs outside the healthcare sphere.

“We also took time to discuss other pressing community needs. Residents told us that access to clean water remains limited because pipelines from mountain water sources were destroyed by landslides,” he noted.

Despite the difficult and still-isolated terrain, the strong enthusiasm and cooperation of local residents provided encouragement for the volunteer team. In closing, dr. Hartawan emphasized that active community involvement was critical to the smooth delivery of services, ensuring that all activities were carried out in an orderly and effective manner.

The Rector of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, SE, MSi, MFin, welcomed a delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC–COMSTECH) on Tuesday (December 16, 2025). The visit followed a strategic meeting between the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD) and COMSTECH held the previous day. As President of WUACD, Prof. Madyan conveyed his deep appreciation to H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary Mustafa, Coordinator General of OIC–COMSTECH, for his continued engagement and collaboration.

“Allow me to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency Professor Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of the OIC COMSTECH, to Universitas Airlangga. Your presence today is a great honor for us, and a strong reflection of the close and growing partnership between OIC – COMSTECH, WUACD, and Universitas Airlangga.,” the Rector said.

The meeting was attended by Associate Professor Dr. Humeraa Jahan, Secretary of OIC–COMSTECH; Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development and WUACD Chairperson, Prof. dr. Muhammad Miftahussurur, MKes, SpPD-KGEH, PhD; Vice Rector for the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Business Development, Prof. Dr. Koko Srimulyo, Drs., MSi; WUACD Executive Secretary, Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, MSi; Director of Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE), Irfan Wahyudi, SSos, MComm, PhD; Secretary of the Institute for Sustainable Community Service (LPMB), Dr. Nurina Fitriani, ST; along with several faculty representatives.

Discussions centered on expanding collaboration among COMSTECH, WUACD, and Universitas Airlangga, particularly in faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, capacity development, community engagement, and sustainability-focused programs. During the meeting, H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary Mustafa, together with Prof. Miftahussurur and Prof. Puspaningsih, briefed the Rector on key outcomes of the strategic meeting held a day earlier. Student mobility emerged as one of the main proposals.

“I’d suggest that ten students from Universitas Airlangga visit Pakistan, including five who are active bloggers. All expenses will be fully covered. write about universities in Pakistan and participate in workshops there. They will represent Universitas Airlangga and introduce UNAIR through videos and presentations to Pakistani students. This initiative will be the first of its kind,” Prof. Mustafa said.

In a separate interview with LPMB UNAIR Secretary Dr. Nurina Fitriani, ST, H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary Mustafa underscored the urgency of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), warning that many countries are unlikely to meet their targets by 2030. “There are two important things. First, achieving the SDGs depends heavily on science and technology, whether in clean energy, healthcare, universal education, or food security. Every country has to understand that in orderto achieve SDGs, they need to deploy science and technology,” Prof. Mustafa said.

“Second, there are many areas in which countries can work together. So international collaboration is important. Some countries have made significant progress toward the SDGs, while many others have not. As humans living in this planet, it is important for us to develop together. Without collaboration, progress will be impossible. International cooperation is critical for global peace, security, and for achieveing the SDGs,” he added.

Prof. Mustafa also highlighted ongoing efforts by OIC–COMSTECH in partnership with WUACD and Universitas Airlangga, noting that these collaborations are expected to produce concrete programs aligned with the SDGs. Planned initiatives are in disaster management, education, herbal medicine, and issues related to water scarcity.

“Everything depends on water, and water is a very interdisciplinary field. It is not only related to science, engineering, and technology, but also to social behavior and psychology, how communities perceive water as a resource and avoid wasting it, how we consume water responsibly, and how we recycle and manage it. We have discussed the possibility of building a team of experts from various disciplines to support the management of this vital resource,” explained the COMSTECH leader.

Concluding the interview, Prof. Mustafa praised the openness and commitment demonstrated by UNAIR’s leadership in supporting member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. “I consider Universitas Airlangga as a focused center for development many OIC countries. We have discussed the possibility of student exchanges, joint research, joint workshops and training programs, and joint projects, and honorable rector of this university was completely in agreement in all of these,” he said.

OIC–COMSTECH and WUACD share a common vision to advance inclusive and impactful higher education. This collaboration actively reflects both institutions’ commitment to capacity building and sustainable development through higher education. The partnership with OIC–COMSTECH also underscores the strong commitment of Universitas Airlangga and WUACD to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) faculty members continue to earn international recognition. Most recently, Dr. Sri Widati, S.Sos., M.Si., a lecturer at the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), was elected Vice President of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) South West Pacific Region. She secured the post through a competitive voting process conducted by a panel of evaluators from a pool of nominees.

IUHPE is a global organization focused on advancing public health and improving quality of life worldwide. It brings together representatives from 207 countries across several regional divisions. Indonesia is part of the South West Pacific Region, which includes 22 other member countries. “This role will span approximately three years, from December 2025 through November 2028. I am eager to use this opportunity to strengthen the global presence of Indonesia and UNAIR,” she said.

In her academic career, Dr. Widati, has been deeply engaged in health promotion initiatives through the PKIP Division (Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences) and the Airlangga Health Promotion Center (AHPC). She has also played an active role in IUHPE-related conferences, including hosting the IUHPE Executive Director at UNAIR’s Happy and Healthy Symposium. “IUHPE expressed strong appreciation for UNAIR’s tangible contributions to health promotion through AHPC. I had the chance to meet with IUHPE’s leadership and present UNAIR’s health promotion programs. That experience ultimately paved the way for my appointment,” she said.

In her new capacity, Dr. Widati plans to adapt and expand health promotion initiatives that have proven effective at UNAIR and across Indonesia to the broader South West Pacific Region. She cited UNAIR’s community service programs and RSKKA as concrete examples of how health promotion can be successfully implemented at the grassroots level. “My long-term vision is to connect all countries in this region through a shared network. This will be pursued through regional IUHPE conferences combined with UNAIR symposiums that align with IUHPE’s core values. Through these efforts, we aim to elevate UNAIR’s profile on the global stage,” she explained.

Beyond her regional role, Dr. Widati also aims to strengthen health promotion efforts domestically. She plans to collaborate with organizations and professional associations working in health promotion to expand initiatives at both national and international levels. “Let us work together to advance the South West Pacific Region, with Indonesia taking an active role. Through these collective efforts, we hope to build a society that is informed, motivated, and capable of improving and sustaining its own health,” she concluded.

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) formally expanded its international network through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Management and Science University (MSU) Malaysia. The signing ceremony was held on Tuesday (Nov. 25, 2025) at the Balairua Plenary Hall inside the Management Building at UNAIR’s MERR-C Campus. Top administrators from both institutions attended the event, along with UNAIR faculty members who witnessed the agreement. The MoU reflects a mutual commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration. Its core objectives include enhancing cooperation in education and research and supporting the development of academic programs with long-term impact.

In his remarks, UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, SE, MSi, MFin, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to welcome MSU Malaysia as an international partner at this landmark event. He emphasized that partnerships between universities play a vital role in building an academic ecosystem that promotes shared growth and intellectual exchange. “This visit carries great significance, not only because it brings together Indonesia and Malaysia, but also because it demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing higher education for global progress,” Prof. Madyan said.

He noted that UNAIR’s newly inaugurated leadership, appointed three months earlier, now has a pivotal role in expanding international cooperation, including efforts with MSU. He stressed that higher education is an investment that thrives on trust-based partnerships rather than isolated progress.

Prof. Madyan also highlighted the need for deeper collaboration between UNAIR and MSU. Priority areas include faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, and the development of innovative academic initiatives. “This partnership is not just administrative paperwork; it is a shared commitment to creating initiatives that benefit Indonesia, Malaysia, and the global academic community. The combined strengths of MSU and UNAIR will enrich the programs we develop together,” he added.

He further acknowledged that while many partnerships are already underway, there remains significant potential to broaden collaboration across various faculties and strengthen the outcomes of existing initiatives.

Prof. Madyan closed his remarks by thanking Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr. Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid and the MSU leadership for their trust. He expressed hope that the MoU will mark a new chapter of stronger cooperation and produce meaningful contributions for both academic communities. “We hope this collaboration brings benefits not only to our institutions but also to society at large. Together, let us build a stronger and more impactful future for higher education,” he concluded.

The event wrapped up with a symbolic presentation celebrating the partnership. Both universities expressed optimism that the collaboration will enhance the quality of higher education and expand international opportunities for students and faculty.

As part of its efforts to strengthen cross-sector collaboration, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) welcomed a visit from the Embassy of Mongolia in Jakarta. The delegation met with UNAIR leadership on Thursday (Nov. 20, 2025) at the Balai RUA, MERR-C Campus Management Office. During the visit, UNAIR Rector Prof. Madyan held a strategic meeting with the Mongolian delegation to explore potential areas of cooperation. Ambassador Enkhtaivan Dashnyam attended the meeting alongside Nyamdorj Chuluunbaatar and Attache Khulan Ganbat.

Responding to the rector’s remarks, the Mongolian Ambassador said his government welcomes collaboration proposals, particularly academic exchanges with the National University of Mongolia. UNAIR also introduced opportunities through the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD), a platform that could enable student participation in community service programs in Mongolia, supported by UNAIR faculty and researchers. Their collaboration is reflected in several recent exchanges. UNAIR welcomed four academic staff members from Mongolian institutions in 2021 and 2025. Meanwhile, 26 UNAIR students joined outbound academic programs at Mandakh University during 2021–2022, and UNAIR received one inbound student from the National University of Mongolia in 2021.

“These exchanges show the deepening ties between our countries and highlight the potential for broader cooperation. We hope today’s discussion will advance opportunities in health sciences, social sciences, life sciences, and engineering. Together, we can strengthen academic programs, research initiatives, and community development,” Prof. Madyan said.

Responding to the rector’s remarks, the Mongolian Ambassador said his government welcomes collaboration proposals, particularly academic exchanges with the National University of Mongolia. UNAIR also introduced opportunities through the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD), a platform that could enable student participation in community service programs in Mongolia, supported by UNAIR faculty and researchers. The Mongolian Embassy also expressed strong interest in medical training partnerships as part of Mongolia’s efforts to enhance its healthcare workforce. UNAIR Hospital voiced full support for this initiative.

“We are open to hosting Mongolian students and medical professionals who want to study various disease cases, including tropical diseases or conditions that may not be present in Mongolia.” In addition, the embassy highlighted its interest in collaborating on halal certification through UNAIR’s Halal Center. Both sides expressed optimism that the meeting would pave the way for future partnerships in academic development and healthcare. They hope the discussions will lead to concrete programs that strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and Mongolia.

Universitas Airlangga once again demonstrated its growing presence on the global academic stage. This time, Vice Rector for Academic, Student and Alumni Affairs, Prof Ir Mochammad Amin Alamsjah MSi PhD represented UNAIR at the 7th ASEAN+3 Rectors’ Conference, a major regional gathering hosted by Can Tho University in Vietnam on Wednesday–Thursday (Nov 19–20, 2025).

Held under the theme Beyond Borders: Strengthening Networks, Sharing Excellence, and Advancing Sustainable ASEAN+3 Collaboration, the ASEAN+3 Rectors’ Conference convenes top university leaders, presidents, rectors, and vice rectors, from institutions within the ASEAN+3 University Network (ASEAN+3 UNet), alongside partners from China, Japan, and South Korea. The event serves as an important platform for discussing collaborative strategies to address shared higher education and regional challenges.

During the conference, Prof Alamsjah delivered a presentation titled “Sustainable Development Programs of Fisheries and Marine in Indonesia.” His remarks centered on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indonesia’s four Fisheries Management Areas (WPP-NRI), where fishing activity plunged significantly.

According to fisheries analysts from Global Fishing Watch (GFW), this decline produced both positive and negative consequences. While decreased activity allowed fish stocks to recover, it simultaneously disrupted the economic livelihoods of local fishermen.

The senior professor from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) added that biodiversity-based industries remained relatively resilient during the pandemic, recording positive growth despite widespread economic pressures. “This situation underscores Indonesia’s need to reinforce sustainable fisheries systems, ranging from regulations and production processes to resource management,” he said.

In response, the government introduced a renewed set of policy priorities. These include improving fisheries governance, simplifying licensing systems, strengthening aquaculture, expanding downstream industries, and advancing research capacity and human resource development. These initiatives align with the nation’s Blue Economy framework, which emphasizes ecological sustainability while strengthening maritime economic sectors.

Aquaculture development has become another core priority. As Indonesia’s population grows, so does its demand for protein, making both marine and inland aquaculture increasingly critical for reducing pressure on ocean capture fisheries. “High-value commodities such as shrimp, lobster, crab, milkfish, snapper, and seaweed are seeing continuous technological upgrades. Modern concepts like internationally standardized shrimp estates are being developed to increase productivity in areas that still rely on traditional, low-yield farming methods,” he explained.

Despite its potential, Indonesia’s fisheries sector continues to face multiple threats, including overfishing, weak oversight, low productivity, illegal levies, limited access to quality broodstock, and low participation from younger generations. Indonesia seeks to address these issues through an integrated strategy that incorporates technology, conservation, regulatory reform, and community engagement, ensuring the sector contributes to economic growth while maintaining ecological stability.

At the conference, Prof Alamsjah proposed a comprehensive model for sustainable fisheries and marine development. His plan outlines six key components: improving assessment capabilities; reforming fisheries governance; reducing excess fishing capacity; enhancing access management and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; strengthening human and institutional capability; building adequate operational capacity; and protecting biodiversity to sustain long-term productivity.

Prof Alamsjah noted that his presentation received positive feedback from participants. “The forum was well-regarded by representatives from ASEAN countries, Japan, China, South Korea, and scientific organizations such as JICA and ASEN-FEN,” he said.