UNAIR NEWS – The Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture, has released an announcement regarding the approval of student creativity program (Program Kreativitas Mahasiswa, PKM) funding proposals on Friday, April 19, 2024. 77 proposals of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) have qualified which will receive funding. As a follow up, UNAIR held a briefing event for funded PKM teams from Universitas Airlangga on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Garuda Mukti Hall, 5th Floor of the Management Office, MERR-C Campus UNAIR.
More teams funded
UNAIR Director of Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. M. Hadi Shubhan, SH, MH, CN, expressed gratitude for UNAIR’s achievement this year. This year’s achievement places UNAIR as the fifth university with the most funded proposals. “Alhamdulillah, we have 77 funded proposals. We are ranked fifth after UGM, ITS, IPB, and Hasanuddin University,” he said.
The high number of funded proposals brought a new spirit to UNAIR. Moreover, this year UNAIR is hosting the 37th PIMNAS (National Student Science Week) in October.
Regarding the results, Prof. Hadi mentioned that UNAIR has the opportunity to win the PIMNAS trophy, the “Adhikarta Kertawidya”. UNAIR last won this prestigious trophy in 2002. It will be UNAIR’s long-awaited moment after 22 years. “Hopefully, you can bring home the PIMNAS trophy, as we haven’t won it for 22 years. Hopefully this time it will be our turn,” he said to the attending teams.
Thorough preparation
Furthermore, Prof. Hadi stated that PKM research requires extensive preparation. Therefore, thorough preparation is needed, both physically, mentally and intellectually. “Prepare the time, mentally, intellectually, to really carry out this research until the end. There will be external monitoring and evaluation later if your research qualifies for PIMNAS,” he said.
Prof Hadi also appealed to students who qualified for the PKM funding to maintain communication. Whether with the team members, supervising lecturers, assisting seniors, or other parties. “Any challenges and obstacles encountered during research must be communicated. Whether with us, lecturers, or assisting seniors. We will assist with everything,” he explained.
Solution is the key
Meanwhile, UNAIR PKM Coordinator Prof. Dr. drg. Taufan Bramantoro, MKes, also encouraged students to prepare themselves technically. It includes understanding the characteristics of this prestigious competition. “In terms of the competition, it may not be much different. But historically, PKM has had a long and different journey from other competitions,” he explained.
Furthermore, the characteristic difference of PKM lies in its solution-oriented nature. It means that the results of PKM research or the products offered must be able to provide solutions to crucial problems. “PKM starts with a problem. So, you must present solutions. You must explore solutions to the problems you will address,” explained the UNAIR’s Faculty of Dental Medicine lecturer.
After providing technical orientation, Prof. Taufan expressed his pride once again as many alumni from PIMNAS 35 to 36 are participating again in making the UNAIR PKM campaign successful this year. He is optimistic, considering the great enthusiasm shown by the participants.
“There are even previous champions who might join in because this year it is held in our own home. So, the spirit will be different,” he concluded.
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
