Login
Register

Tag: Universitas Airlangga

French Embassy opens opportunities for collaboration with UNAIR

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga is collaborating with the French Embassy in Indonesia. On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, a meeting was convened at the Plenary Hall, Balairua, MERR-C Campus, to discuss plans for educational cooperation with French universities and industries.

Antoine Bricout, Attaché for University and Education of the French Embassy in Indonesia, and Sandra Vivier, Director of the Institut Français D’indonésie (IFI) Surabaya, were among the guests. Prof. Muhammad Miftahussurur, Vice Rector for Internationalization, Digitalization, and Information, and Prof. Dr. Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto, Vice Rector for Academic, Student Affairs, and Alumni, both represented UNAIR at the forum.

Prof Bambang explained that UNAIR has currently partnered with 13 universities in France. UNAIR engages in various agreements, such as Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), and Letter of Agreement (LA). Each agreement discusses various aspects, ranging from scholarship opportunities to study and campus fair expos.

Prof Miftah explained the comprehensive collaboration planning involving faculties and institutions, including the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline, Faculty of Psychology, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Airlangga Hospital, and the Airlangga Global Engagement. The focus covers research collaboration, joint publication, staff and student mobility programs, guest lectures, IISMA preparation programs, and LPDP scholarships.

“We would like to solidify our collaborative plans with Sciences Po, Kedge Business School, Université de Caen, and Universite Paris Cité. We hope these plans will include the establishment of a joint Indonesia-France working group for 2024,” he said.

Bricout welcomed this collaborative endeavor as a strategic chance to deepen Indonesia’s long-standing connection with France. He also mentioned internship opportunities at hospitals, particularly at the Faculty of Medicine, which provide competitive salaries and promising career prospects.

He also encouraged other UNAIR faculties to connect with French universities. These prospects require not only competence in their disciplines but also mastery of the French language. “Language is extremely important,” he emphasized.

UNAIR dispatches 2,180 students for community services in 3 regions of East Java

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih SE MT Ak, Rector of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), dispatched 2,180 students to participating in the 3rd Community Service Program – Learning with Community (KKN-BBK) on Monday, Jan 8, 2024. The event took place at the Airlangga Convention Center (ACC), MERR-C Campus, UNAIR.

The Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Prof. Dr. Gadis Meinar Sari, dr, MKes, stated in her opening speech that KKN-BBK activities are an academic endeavor aimed at exploring and finding solutions, as well as serving as a learning medium. She emphasized the importance of providing students with this experience to ensure they are well-prepared and confident upon graduating from university.

Prof. Gadis said that the implementation of KKN-BBK 3 in 2024 took place in three regions of East Java: Banyuwangi Regency, Gresik Regency, and Surabaya City.

“A total of 2,180 students are participating in KKN-BBK 3. They will be deployed in 7 sub-districts and 65 villages in Banyuwangi, 4 sub-districts consisting of 91 villages in Gresik, and in Surabaya, there are 7 sub-districts and 62 urban villages,” explained Prof. Gadis.

Collaboration with OJK

Prof. Gadis further mentioned that for this KKN-BBK, a key focus is on community economic empowerment. To this end, UNAIR has collaborated with the Financial Services Authority (OJK).

“UNAIR collaborates with OJK, and students will receive guidance. We bring in speakers from OJK if students have programs related to community economic empowerment,” said Prof. Gadis.

Prof. Dr. Sukardiman Apt MS, the Director of the UNAIR Directorate of Academic Affairs, also highlighted this collaboration. Prof. Sukardiman stated that the KKN-BBK activity is a tangible expression of UNAIR’s partnership with OJK, fulfilling the terms of the agreement in organizing the Emancipated Learning Program.

OJK provides experts in financial management to enhance students’ understanding of fund management. Prof. Sukardiman further emphasized that students can play a vital role in enhancing the productive economic potential of the village community.

“OJK is prepared to provide experts who can impart knowledge on managing village expenditure funds, including how to avoid online lending traps, and more,” added Prof. Sukardiman.

Emphasizing student behavior

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih SE MT Ak, the Rector of Universitas Airlangga, also offered guidance to the students before their dispatch. He stressed the importance of maintaining exemplary behavior in the communities, particularly in light of the upcoming general election.

“This KKN-BBK coincides with a national agenda that is quite sensitive. I urge you to steer clear of any political involvement. You are entering communities where your role should be completely detached from political activities, ” Prof. Nasih emphasized.

Prof. Nasih further emphasized the need for students to assimilate and harmonize with local communities. He highlighted the critical importance of maintaining decorum and ethical behavior.

“Do not bring disrepute to UNAIR. Avoid actions that could go viral and tarnish UNAIR’s reputation. We will decisively expel any student whose actions negatively go viral,“ he warned.

Conversely, Prof. Nasih mentioned that UNAIR will reward students who successfully showcase the university’s positive impact during the KKN-BBK 3 activities, particularly through social media platforms. He also noted that participants who generate the most significant response and impact during the program will receive special recognition and awards from UNAIR.

UNAIR FEB students experience student exchange at Universiti Malaya

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to give opportunities for its students to study abroad. One of the faculties, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) has sent 24 of its students to Universiti Malaya (UM) in a Part-Time Outbound Program 2023 with the UM Islamic Studies Academy.

The 24 delegates are Salwa Tasya, Liha Ulima, Keyla Humaira, Nabilla Fika, Arving Lailatul Fajri, Alif Fahril Aziz, Nuria Latifah, Fitri Makrifatul, Ulfiana Nanda, Nabila Yona, Jesyca, Sintya Alfafa, Diana Clarisa, Nisaa Sadiya, Rafasya Syauqila, Zanuba Firstya, Keysha Mutiara Azzahara, Nisrina Amani Taufik, Afra Bahita Fridajaya, Syanaya Ramadhani Rahmana, Diva Azzahra Pratiwi, Soni Nuriyana Mayangkari, Dhiya Basith Fauzian and Yashafi Yan Arsala.

Sintya Alfafa, FEB student and the person in charge, shared her experiences at UM. She and other delegates had the opportunity to deliver presentations in the presence of UM lecturers.

“This essay is a selection stage from the faculty before leaving for UM. Later, the best essays can be presented at UM,” explained Fafa.

Cultural Exchange

The FEB student said that she not only had the opportunity to study in the neighboring country but also gained experience exchanging culture with local students at UM.

“One of the most impressive series of activities was doing typical Malaysian batik crafts. This is a new experience and knowledge because so far, the only batik we know is Indonesian batik,” she said.

The famous university in Malaysia has the Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden. According to her, the delegates gained new knowledge about the flora and fauna in the Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden, which is well-preserved at UM.

“What an unforgettable experience at UM. We learn many things outside campus. The local students were especially welcoming to international students,” said Fafa.

Learn Malaysian history

Fafa also learned the local history of Malaysia. They visited the Museum of Asian Arts. Fafa was introduced to the rare museum collections there.

One of them is a Thai elephant statue from the 14th-15th century AD, and there were also stone carvings, copper items, and Malay weaponry from ancient times. These historical objects are a message to students and local communities in Malaysia to love the country and the legacy of our ancestors.

“We were also given information about Malay history before independence, and the long story, it is still connected to Indonesian history, which we have known for a long time,” said Fafa.

Fafa expressed her gratitude to FEB UNAIR for supporting and assisting the program. “Hopefully, FEB UNAIR can expand its collaboration network with other well-known universities in Asia in the future so that students’ knowledge and insight will also increase,” she hoped.

WUACD Summit 2023 discusses SDGs, collaborations and next year programs

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

In supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), universities contribute to preparing community development programs. Institutions play a role in fostering broad cooperation in line with SDGs point 17, “Partnership for the goals”.

It aligns with the mission of Universitas Airlangga’s World University Association for Community Development (WUACD). The WUACD is a platform for integrated collaboration among universities worldwide. The platform aims to discuss strategic partnerships among member universities to foster international cooperation related to the three pillars (tri dharma) in higher education, exchange data, and evaluate the implementation of SDGs at UNAIR and universities worldwide.

This year, UNAIR hosted the WUACD Summit 2023 at the El Hotel Banyuwangi on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. The event hosted delegations from 26 institutions worldwide. This year, the theme revolves around SDG point 14 Life Below Water, collaborating with the East Java Provincial Government. Preserving the aquatic environment is key to building a better ecological environment.

University collaboration

Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development, Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih MSi, hopes that the association will allow members to collaborate on community development programs and community service across various countries. She believed that it would have a bigger impact.

“This consortium can serve as a platform to strengthen collaboration among universities worldwide,” she said.

She hoped that the discussion would generate awareness and concern for community development programs in Indonesia and around the world. “Thank you so much to all members for your dedication and contributions. May we continue to make a real impact,” she said.

She believed that the goals and commitments from all parties would bring about positive impacts in sustainable community development.

Discussing WUACD programs in 2024

Dr. Niko Azhari Hidayat, Sp.BTKV(K) stated that some SDG programs for 2024 were also discussed. The programs vary in the fields of economics, education, community development, and health. The programs will be handled by the new coordinators of WUACD, Dr. Rahmat Yuliawan SE MM AWP CHRM and Prof Ira Nurmala SKM MPH PhD from Universitas Airlangga, and Associate Prof Dr. Mohd Roslan Rosnon from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

The commitments will be realized in several programs, such as the summer program, international conference, Airlangga Grant and Matching Fund on Community Development, and WUACD International Community Development. “They will submit activity proposals. We will also map out which universities will implement these programs,” he said.

He hoped that UNAIR would continuously be an initiator to generate, direct, and lead the university members to achieve SDGs. “We would like to show the world that UNAIR excels in community development and brings positive impacts at the global scale,” he said.

During the agenda, the signing of memorandums of understanding with new members was also held. Among them are Griffith University, Allama Iqbal Open University, and the University of The Punjab.

UNAIR calls for transformation in the SDGs Festival talk show

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) shows its commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by launching the SDGs Festival from November 20 to 22, 2023, at the Garuda Mukti Hall, Management Building, MERR-C Campus.

One of the highlight moments in the festival was the talk show with the theme of “Transformative Policy Innovation for a healthy and sustainable Environment”. Prof. Retna Apsari, UNAIR’s SDGs Expert, also attended as a speaker in the talk show.

Exploring UNAIR’s SDGs

Prof. Retna claimed that UNAIR has implemented seventeen goals of SDGs, particularly in the Goal 1, 3, 5,7, 8, 9, and 13. Approaching sustainable development of the university can be achieved through the involvement of government and parliament, academics and experts, civil society organizations and media, as well as philanthropy and businesses.

“It’s time to align our frequencies to take the actions together. We still have poverty issues that need to be resolved. For instance, poverty is not a commodity for the sake of image-building. UNAIR has developed products to address poverty issues, one of which is a stunting intervention product,” the professor said.

Currently, the lecturers and students have improved their research, innovations, and community development programs. In 2023, the research focuses on the blue economy, green economy, health, digital economy, tourism and conservation, and food security.

“UNAIR has conducted research through pilot projects in Remote Islands in Madura, Border Islands in Bintan, and Coastal Areas in Banyuwangi. On the latter project, UNAIR detected fish pH levels and explored tourism opportunities there. All faculties will be involved in the projects,” she said.

Synergy and frequency

The Solar Shelter Charging Station innovation contributes to SDGs 7 and 9. The energy storage system is utilized for charging stations catering to the coastal communities on Gili Iyang Island. Hence, the synergy between students, lecturers, the community, and the government in policy-making is highly essential.

The university plays a significant role in achieving the SDGs through education, research, and partnership. The integration of SDGs into the curriculum enriches students’ awareness, encourages positive actions, and fosters a sustainable campus environment.

“When society embraces our innovations, it leads to economic growth and an understanding of clean technology. Consequently, when the frequencies align, there will be an extraordinary multiplication of energy,” Prof. Retna concluded. (*)

SDGs Center of Universitas Airlangga proposes collaborative initiative with Western Sydney University

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

In a groundbreaking move towards global sustainable development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Center at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has extended an invitation for collaboration with Western Sydney University (WSU). This initiative aims to foster international cooperation in addressing critical issues outlined by the United Nations’ SDGs.

Capacity building program for public servants

One of the critical aspects of this collaboration is the proposed Capacity Building Program scheduled for the coming year. This program explicitly targets the professional development of public servants (ASN—Aparatur Sipil Negara) and will be conducted in partnership with Western Sydney University. The program aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of participants, equipping them with the tools necessary to contribute meaningfully to achieving SDGs.

Innovative data system mentorship

The collaboration also includes a pioneering data system mentorship program. It recognizes the importance of data in informed decision-making, and this initiative will facilitate the exchange of expertise between UNAIR and WSU in the development and implementation of cutting-edge data systems. The mentorship program empowers both institutions to leverage data effectively to drive progress toward sustainable development.

SDGs Festival: A Celebration of Global Goals

As part of the collaboration, both universities are gearing up to host an SDGs Festival. This festival will serve as a platform for raising awareness and fostering a shared commitment to the SDGs. Through a series of events, discussions, and interactive sessions, the SDGs Festival aims to engage students, faculty, and the broader community in a collective dialogue on sustainability.

Dr. Bayu Arie Fianto, Head of SDGs Center Universitas Airlangga, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with Western Sydney University is a significant step towards creating a global network of institutions dedicated to advancing the SDGs. By combining our strengths and resources, we can profoundly impact the world’s most pressing challenges.”

The collaboration between SDGs Center Universitas Airlangga and Western Sydney University exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation and underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to building a sustainable future. As the world looks towards a decade of action for the SDGs, such partnerships are crucial for realizing the vision of a more equitable and sustainable world.

UNAIR, UTM collaboration improves Ecotourism in Sungai Melayu, Malaysia

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga has once again shown its commitment to becoming a higher education institution with contribution and impact on society. This commitment is displayed not only in Indonesia but also to the world. This time, UNAIR collaborated with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to hold a community service activity in Kampong Sungai Melayu, Johor, Malaysia, on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

International community service pioneer

UNAIR initiated the establishment of the World University Association for Community Development ( WUACD ) in 2018 to strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions to improve the quality of community service activities, both in Indonesia and other countries. This time, WUACD UNAIR designed a collaborative community service program with UTM targeting communities along Sungai Melayu, in Johor, Malaysia.

This activity involved 21 experts from UNAIR who visited Kampong Sungai Melayu and shared innovative ideas for developing sustainable ecotourism in Sungai Melayu. The activity was coordinated by Edi Dwi Riyanto, PhD from the Faculty of Humanities, and attended by the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Empowerment, Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih.

Encouraging collaboration of cognate countries

YB Datuk Pandak bin Ahmad, one of the representatives of the Kampong Sungai Melayu community, welcomed UNAIR delegates warmly. He is an Iskandar City People’s Representative Council member and an alumnus of UTM.

“We are very proud to welcome guests from Universitas Airlangga, because Indonesia and Malaysia are cognate countries. We should work together and collaborate,” he said during the opening speech.

Prof. Nyoman delivered her remarks as a representative from UNAIR. She said UNAIR academics are ready to devote their expertise for mutual benefit, not only for the people of Indonesia but also for the global community, which in this case are the residents of Kampong Sungai Melayu in Malaysia.

“UNAIR is committed to becoming a university that contributes and gives an impact to the world,” said Prof. Nyoman.

Supporting Sustainable Development Goals

In addition to achieving the 17th goal of SDGs, Partnership for the Goals, this community service activity also supports achieving two other goals: the 11th goal, Sustainable Cities and Communities and the 14th goal about Life Below Water. In the knowledge-sharing session,  Dr. Veryl Hasan SPi MP strengthened the achievement of the 14th goal of SDGs. He is one of UNAIR experts in Fisheries and Marine Sciences. Then, it continued with a discussion between representatives of UNAIR, UTM, and the people of Kampong Sungai Melayu. (*)

UNAIR researcher discusses rabies vaccine innovation with Indonesian, American scientists

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to produce innovative researchers. One of the researchers is Dr Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori . The researcher and assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) UNAIR discussed his innovation, Construction of Peptide-Based Vaccines with Indonesian Rabies Virus Glycoprotein: In Silico Approach with Indonesian and United States scientists.

Arif got this opportunity while attending The 9th Indonesian-American Kavli Frontiers of Science Symposium from August 7 to August 11, 2023, in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. The event resulted from a collaboration between the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI) and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), United States of America.

The alumnus of UNAIR Faculty of Veterinary Medicine doctoral program was the only UNAIR researcher present at The 9th Indonesian-American Kavli Frontiers of Science Symposium. This event is a prestigious forum for young scientists from Indonesia and the United States to work and build international collaborations. The participants received funding and career development guidance.

“Participants were less than 45 years old. This event provides guidance for conducting research, funding on an international scale, and career development guidance,” explained Arif.

His innovation resulted from his concern looking at recent conditions in Indonesia. “Currently, there are many cases in various regions in eastern Indonesia related to rabies that attacks animals and humans,” he said.

New breakthrough rabies vaccine

From these problems, Arif took the initiative to design a rabies vaccine with a new breakthrough. “This problem forces us to design a new, up-to-date, more significant breakthrough vaccine design. As we learned from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Furthermore, the new breakthrough using genetic adjuvants can create a more optimal immune response in humans. “This vaccine design is made with glycoprotein and uses isolates originating from Indonesia,” he explained.

Arif revealed that he would conduct further research on the innovations he initiated. So that later this innovation will become a superior product. “Research is currently underway, starting with computational modeling. The advanced stages will make it an important product, “he concluded. (*)

Geliat Airlangga, international partners evaluate Triple Elimination Program

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Geliat Airlangga, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted monitoring and evaluation of the Triple Elimination Program in three health centers (Puskesmas) in Surabaya. The event was conducted in Puskesmas Sememi, Puskesmas Kedungdoro, and Mahameru Foundation on July 21, 2023.

Collaboration

The visit is a collaborative attempt to eliminate three infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The representatives from Geliat Airlangga, UNICEF, UNAIDS, and WHO visited the health centers to monitor and evaluate the program.

The representatives are Prof Dr Nyoman Anita Damayanti Drg MS from Geliat Airlangga, Joel Renstrom from UNAIDS, Dr Armunanto from UNICEF, and Dr Kemmy Ampera Purnamawati from WHO. They visited Puskesmas Sememi for the first stop, where they saw medical staff and health workers who have worked hard to prevent, detect, and treat HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS prevention program has played a crucial role in reducing the rate of new infections and improving access to treatment services for HIV patients.

“We are committed to continuing our collaboration with the government and organizations. The Triple Elimination Program is an attempt to achieve our shared goals in improving public health,” Dr Kemmy said.

Their next stop was Puskesmas Kedungdoro which also conducted the triple elimination program. The statistics were presented to see the general conditions of the community regarding the program.

Lastly, they visited the Mahameru Foundation Surabaya, a non-governmental organization that focuses in supporting people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). They discussed the challenges and progress in HIV treatment with the PLWHA and the health workers. The foundation’s role in providing social support and timely treatment has helped many patients in their healing process and in preventing the spread of the disease.

“Prevention is the key to addressing HIV. We support the attempts to raise public awareness about the transmission and prevention of HIV. Our goal is to achieve zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths,” Joel Renstrom said.

Appreciation

Geliat Airlangga, UNICEF, UNAIDS, and WHO highly appreciate the hard work and dedication of all parties for the Triple Elimination program. This cross-agency collaboration serves as a real example of joint efforts to achieve significant outcomes in eliminating infectious diseases and improving public health.

The representatives are pledged to provide support and necessary resources to strengthen the Triple Elimination program in Surabaya and East Java. Their goal is to further enhance the effectiveness of the program and make a significant impact in combatting infectious diseases in the region.

UNAIR researcher presents work at Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2023

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has shown its presence as a world-class university. Many UNAIR’s researchers have performed well nationally and internationally, including Prof. Dr. Fedik Abdul Rantam, DVM. The UNAIR accomplished researcher was entrusted to attend and be involved in the prestigious 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau, Germany, on Monday, June 26, 2023. Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting ( LNLM ) is a prestigious event for researchers and scientists at the international level.

Become selected researcher
In this prestigious event, Prof. Fedik was selected as one of the Indonesian research delegates. He admitted that he was grateful and proud because each researcher only had the opportunity to attend and be involved in the event once. “Alhamdulillah, I can share with the best young researchers from various countries and can have direct discussions with the Nobel laureates. Moreover, we researchers only get one chance in a lifetime to be involved in this meeting,” said Prof. Fedik. Being a selected researcher in this event is not easy because various criteria must be met. As published by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture’s website, researchers must first participate in a selection. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education and Research and Technology will submit the final decision to the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Foundation.

Presenting domestic vaccine development
On that occasion, Prof. Fedik presented his work titled Indonesia in Overcoming Covid-19 Pandemic and Domestic Vaccine Development. He explained how Indonesia handled the Covid-19 pandemic, including developing the Merah Putih vaccine initiated by UNAIR researchers.  “In the meeting, I presented our Covid-19 vaccine, which is the work of the nation’s researchers, and it received a positive response from the participants. They were interested in our vaccine’s advantages and how to determine the isolate as a unit seed vaccine,” said the Head of UNAIR Vaccine Research and Development Center. Furthermore, the UNAIR Virology and Immunology Expert also revealed that his team is preparing the second-generation vaccine, the cocktail vaccine. He added that even though the administration has declared the pandemic as an endemic, it does not mean cases of Covid-19 transmission can be ignored. For this reason, continuing this vaccine research is still necessary as a preventive effort. “Furthermore, I also conveyed that my team and I are preparing a second-generation vaccine called the cocktail vaccine. Even though the status is currently considered endemic, vaccination is still needed to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he added.

This year, Indonesia through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, has the opportunity to partner with the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which is focused on Physiology and Medicine. Indonesia sent several outstanding researchers from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) and Gadjah Mada University (UGM) for the meeting. The researchers joined more than 600 other selected young researchers from around the world to meet the Nobel Prize laureates face to face.