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Tag: Universitas Airlangga

UNAIR’s lecturer receives award of Golden Squirrel Tail in the Netherlands

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

A lecturer from Universitas Airlangga Department of English Language and Literature, Dewi Meyrasyawati SS MA M Hum, never thought would receive the Golden Squirrel Tail award from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Netherlands because the previous recipient of the award was a local staff from the Netherlands.

Golden Squirrel Tail is an annual award by the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The department is the place where Dewi is currently studying for her doctorate education. Dewi is deemed to have given a significant contribution to the department.

Thus, she received the award.

From her colleagues’ viewpoint
Many staff from her department consider Dewi a hardworking person. One of them was the Research Manager of the Department, Dr Marina de Regt.

In her speech, Dr Marina saw Dewi as a hardworking woman. Almost every day, Dewi always came to the campus. “Perhaps to the board members, this is an amazing work ethic. Especially for women,” Dewi revealed.

Besides taking her doctorate, Dewi must divide her focus along with her attention to family. Both of her children came along to live in the Netherlands, while her husband stayed in Indonesia with one other child.

Cultural differences between Indonesia and Netherlands also brought Dewi to achieve the award. Indonesians are known to be friendly.

Indonesian-ism
“One time, one of my supervisors came to Indonesia to join fieldwork of my research about women wearing hijab. In our culture (Indonesia, ed), if there is a guest, we must treat them well. He then was happy with the kind hospitality, which became a positive assessment for him,” explained Dewi.

Furthermore, Dewi often introduces and shares Indonesian food with the campus staff. “Netherland foods are usually minimalistic. While our food is more flavorful, they were delighted to taste it,” Dewi added.

Dewi said that the staff loved the fried rice and fried noodles. Moreover, because the Netherland people are vegetable lovers, Dewi often added vegetables to her cooking.

Dewi also actively participated in the deep democracy (consultative, ed) forum held in her department. Dewi expressed the importance of unity and a warm sense of kinship in the forum, just as her first impression when she became a part of the department. Furthermore, in the forum, Dewi shared her experience when she was a victim of racism in Australia.

“That time, I was taking a master’s study in Australia. I responded to that racism by looking through different perspectives so it will not cause a never-ending conflict,” she explained.

UNAIR – MSU Malaysia discuss about collaboration on double degree program

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

To strengthen its global recognition, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) keeps undergoing various partnerships and collaborations with international partners. The latest collaboration was established with Management & Science University (MSU) Malaysia.

The collaboration was marked by a visit by the President of MSU, Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid to UNAIR, discussing the plan for a Double Degree program in the medical field. Being held in Balairua Hall of MERR (C) Campus on Thursday, March 31, 2022, the delegates from MSU Malaysia were welcomed by UNAIR Rector, Prof Moh Nasih SE MT Ak, and UNAIR leadership.

In his welcoming speech, Prof Nasih stated that MSU and UNAIR have had a long-standing and potential partnership. UNAIR and MSU are often involved in academic collaboration.

“It’s a great honor for us all to receive MSU visitation, after quite a long covid, we can finally meet again,” expressed Prof Nasih.

In that meeting, UNAIR – MSU agreed to collaborate on improving university ranking, especially in the Scopus journal index. As one of the best universities in Indonesia and a World Class University (WCU), UNAIR has intensively collaborated with various parties.

Furthermore, Prof Tan Shukri added that their students already do student mobility with UNAIR. According to him, things given to their students have been excellent. He also added about maximizing collaborative mechanism during post-pandemic of Covid-19.

“In the future, we hope to increase collaboration with double degree programs because I think the activity indicates a comprehensive cooperation between us,” mentioned Prof Tan Shukri,

Regarding the double degree collaboration, Prof Tan Shukri hoped that a detailed discussion could be carried out during Shawwal month. He also said that UNAIR leadership would be invited to Malaysia and create a team to discuss this matter.

In this regard, Prof Nasih said that the Faculty of Medicine (FK) UNAIR are already doing double degree cooperation with the University of Melbourne, Australia. With a study scheme of two years in UNAIR and two and a half years in Melbourne, he hoped that this model could become an example and primary reference for collaboration with other campuses.

In the end, UNAIR and MSU agreed to establish a team that could follow up on this double degree partnership, especially in the medical field. Besides the double degree, cooperation must also be developed, such as research, publication, innovation, and even mandatory research.

“We hope there will be more cooperation. The most important thing from all of these, of course, is the action,” concluded Prof Nasih. (*)

Visiting England, UNAIR establishes partnerships with six universities

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to improve its reputation and recognition worldwide. Recently, UNAIR team, through Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE) has visited London, England. On Saturday-Thursday, December 4-9, 2021, AGE UNAIR visited the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) to the United Kingdom (UK) in London and six universities in England. The universities visited were University of Strathclyde, University of Glasgow, University of Nottingham, University of Loughborough, University of Sussex, and University of Leicester.

Iman Harymawan, Ph.D, as the Head of AGE said the visit had four main objectives: collaborating with the British Embassy, ​​expanding UNAIR networking in the international arena, evaluating the activities of the Indonesian International Student Mobility Award (IISMA), and planning for UNAIR’s involvement in UKICIS.

Collaboration and launching of IKA UNAIR Chapter UK
On the first day of the visit, AGE UNAIR was welcomed directly by the British Embassy. Iman explained that the meeting aimed to connect UNAIR with diaspora friends in England.

“KBRI has data on who and what activities Indonesian academics are doing in the UK. Thus, we hope that this meeting can be a door for collaborating with the diaspora there,” he explained.

Furthermore, together with several UNAIR alumni who are working and continuing their studies in England, AGE planned to launch the UK chapter of UNAIR Alumni Association (IKA UNAIR).

“Hopefully, IKA UNAIR can be officially established in January,” he hoped.

Expanding network with six universities in the United Kingdom
During the visit to six universities in the UK, AGE agreed on several collaborative programs. First, UNAIR and those six universities will support activities related to student mobility.

“They are already open to holding visiting mobility. Thus, UNAIR academics can apply for positions related to outbound activities organized by these universities,” he explained.

AGE also exchanged information related to their scientists. Hopefully, UNAIR researchers could collaborate with researchers from the six universities.

Getting involved in UKICIS
Iman said that one of the important points made by AGE during their visit to the University of Nottingham was to have a discussion regarding the plan to include UNAIR in UKICIS. UKICIS is a consortium of Indonesian-British diaspora scientists and universities.

“Hopefully, all these plans can be achieved, and UNAIR can join UKICIS next year,” he concluded. (*)

MoA for International Dual Degree Programme

Posted on by fspppeditorialteam

The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony between Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) Indonesia had took place on 23 December 2020. This marked a phenomenal milestone to enhance and strengthen an international collaboration on academic programmes, research, publication, students and lecturer exchange. The signing ceremony between UiTM’s Vice Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Datuk Ir. Dr. Mohd Azraai Kassim and UNAIR’s Rector, Professor Dr. Mohammad Nasih was witnessed by the Dean, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Jalil Mohamed Ali and Dean, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Professor Bagong Suyanto, Drs. M. Si. The unison also invigorates a gratifying collaboration that are spearheaded towards the accomplishment of highly ambitious efforts that will mutually benefit both renowned institutions. The parties involved are consensus that this agreement will be individually operationalized on their respective behalves, namely Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies for UiTM and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences for UNAIR.

The MoA has joined collaboration for dual degree programme between two master academic programmes, namely; Executive Master of Administrative Science from the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, UiTM and Master of Public Policy from Faculty of Social and Political Science, UNAIR. The MoA’s fundamental objective is to strengthen educational programmes and will thus be substantiated with various collaborative arrangements meant primarily at enhancing the research and industrial networking fields. UNAIR is an established University with a track record of educational excellence and research apart than its dynamic collaborative programmes with many international counterparts. Following the discussions between UiTM and UNAIR, the parties wish to establish a collaboration and to explore opportunities in developing, supporting and enriching the research activities, educational programmes and training in their respective fields of expertise, thus creating synergistic benefits.

Health Minister supports Merah Putih vaccines from UNAIR and PT. Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Menkes RI), Ir. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, CHFC., CLU., expressed his support for the development of the Merah Putih vaccine by Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). It was stated directly during the Open Assembly of the 67th UNAIR Anniversary on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.

According to Ir. Budi, UNAIR’s vaccine preclinical test on animals, shows good results and has high efficiency. Thus, for the next stage, the clinical trials on humans, it is submitted to PT. Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia.

Furthermore, Ir. Budi explained that the first phase of clinical trials examines the safety aspects of the vaccine, and it requires 100 people as volunteers. Then, the second phase of clinical trials will involve about 400 people to see aspects related to its immunogenicity. Furthermore, the third phase of clinical trials will involve about 3,000 people to see the vaccine’s efficacy.

“I pray that it will go smoothly so that in the second half of next year, the Merah Putih vaccine can be produced. It also relies heavily on assistance from the East Java Governor, because the plan will be carried out in Surabaya,” he explained.

Regarding the third phase of the clinical trial, continued Ir. Budi, it is still in the drafting stage. So, besides being used for the regular vaccination process given twice, a scenario related to the use of vaccines as a booster and for children should be developed.

“So, the first scenario is used for two injections, then for the second scenario, the vaccine will be injected as a booster so that it can strengthen the previous vaccine. And the third scenario, the vaccine will be injected twice, targeting children under 12 years old,” Ir. Budi explained.

On the same occasion, Ir. Budi also witnessed the handover of vaccine seed from the Rector of UNAIR to PT. Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia. Ir. Budi revealed that what UNAIR and PT. Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia did was an extraordinary thing because it can complete the research process to preclinical trials in less than one year.

Since the beginning of the development, added Ir. Budi, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), has been involved. So all parties support the acceleration of the first national vaccine development.

“Once again, I’d like to express a very high sense of pride towards my colleagues at UNAIR for being the first to create a domestic vaccine production. I’d also express my deepest gratitude to PT. Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia. I’d pray that UNAIR to be better than before and will be better in the future than the current condition,” he concluded. (*)

Phase 1 pre-clinical trial of UNAIR-led Merah Putih Vaccine shows promising result

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia supports the realization of the Merah Putih Vaccine led by Universitas Airlangga, which has undergone phase 1 of the pre-clinical trial.

The tremendous support is shown from a meeting discussing the development of Merah Putih Vaccine particularly undertaken with the platform used by UNAIR.

The meeting was held online and offline at the Balairua Room Management Office Campus C UNAIR, Friday afternoon, May 28, 2021. Several officials attended the meeting, including Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, M.Si., UNAIR Covid-19 Research Coordinator as well as UNAIR Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Community Development; Dida Gardera, ST., M.Sc, Assistant Deputy for Agro, Pharmacy, and Tourism of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs; and Sudirman, Director of PT Biotis Prima Agrisindo.

Several related officials from the Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, the Ministry of Health, Drug and Food Monitoring Agency were also present.

In the meeting, the Head of the UNAIR Merah Putih Vaccine research team Prof. Dr. Fedik Abdul Rantam drh, revealed the development of the UNAIR Merah Putih vaccine has entered phase 1 of the preclinical trial and has shown good results.

“Regarding the antibody titer, the trend is very good, PA is also good, and the examination is still ongoing including immunotyping, kidney, haematology, toxicity, and total blood tests. The examination results will be used as the basis for conducting the phase 2 preclinical trial, “said Prof. Fedik.

For this reason, his team is currently preparing a phase 2 preclinical trial.

Previously, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) have conducted vaccine research on several platforms, such as the inactivated virus platform, the viral vector with adenovirus platform, and the peptide platform.

The three platforms are still ongoing and construction of the inactivated virus platform has been completed early to advance to preclinical trials and clinical trials.

“We hope in December it will be complete, however, it may be February or March before it included in the industrial scheme, ” he explained.

Furthermore, Prof. Fedik hoped that this research is in line with the expectations of the government and the Indonesian people, the independent development of vaccines so that the government can deal with the Covid-19 virus independently as well.

“For academics, we are optimistic that we can develop the technology to make our own vaccines. Of course, this is a start, “he said.

UNAIR Pharmacy lecturer develops injection-based bone substitute

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Bhagalen, an injectable bone substitute is developed by Dr Aniek Setiya Budiatin, Apt., M.Si., lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangg UNAIR. Bhagalen is an innovation in the form of injectable bone fillers for bone fractures and osteoporosis that oral drugs cannot handle.

This innovative product has received funding from the Ministry of Research and Technology / National Agency for Research and Innovation, Indonesia.

Aniek revealed that the product is in the form of a powder and a solvent. This powder is mixed and then injected into the cavities, both fractures and osteoporotic bones.

Bhagalen consists of bovine hydroxyapatite, gelatin, and alendronate. Bovin hydroxyapatite is a powder obtained from cow bones. The cow bones are produced in-house in UNAIR’s Teaching Industry to reduce imports of materials.

Aniek explained that the composition of Bhagalen consists of 80 percent hydroxyapatite which is part of the components of bone so that it is easily recognized by the bones and can fuse well.

Aniek also explained that bone has two components besides cells and water, organic and inorganic. The organic component used in Bhagalen is gelatin, and the inorganic is hydroxyapatite.

Interestingly, with this Bhagalen, all the damage to the bones can be treated. Bones that are damaged due to fractures or holes continued Aniek; to recover quickly, injections can be made to form new bones to prevent deformities.

“It should be faster with the injection due to the wider surface shape so that it will take about a month,” she explained.

She also said that this injection model is still rare in Indonesia because of its high price. For this reason, Aniek hoped that Bhagalen would be used widely at a more affordable price.

Aniek hoped that her innovation could be widely recognized and used so people in need can be helped and avoid bone defects.