UNAIR NEWS – Prof. Ferry Efendi, S.Kep., Ns., M.Sc., Ph.D., from the Faculty of Nursing (FKp) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), has added another accolade to his distinguished career. He earned the Silver Winner title in the Academic Leader for Health category during the 2024 Diktisaintek Awards, an event hosted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, on Friday, December 13, 2024.
Prof. Efendi was the only UNAIR faculty member to receive a nomination and secure the award. Reflecting on the achievement, he expressed pride and saw it as an impetus to continue innovating and serving the community.
“This recognition serves as both motivation and a reminder that, in any role we take, we must strive to contribute meaningfully to society. As academics, we bear the responsibility of addressing societal challenges through our work,” he said.
Commitment to innovation
Building on his previous successes, including founding a migrant nurses’ labor union and developing the Pasar Kerja Perawat (Nursing Job Market) app, Prof. Efendi reaffirmed his commitment to research and innovation. He noted that innovation is not optional for educators but an essential aspect of their roles.
“Innovation is indispensable for lecturers. Without it, we risk becoming obsolete. Currently, I am managing a research center focused on advancing community health,” he stated.
At this research center, Prof. Efendi is exploring ways to improve public health, particularly within the nursing profession. “This is the focus of my current work, though I continue to pursue other innovations as part of my research efforts,” he explained.
Role of academics
Prof. Efendi emphasized that academics play a vital role in conducting research that solves real-world problems, particularly in healthcare. He highlighted the rapid transformation of Indonesia’s research landscape, driven by advancements in technology, the impact of COVID-19, and the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI). “The emergence of AI and ongoing digitalization are prominent topics within our nation’s research ecosystem,” he noted.
He also stressed the importance of aligning research with scientific rigor, ensuring its applications are both responsible and rooted in empirical evidence.
“Our task as lecturers is to ensure research findings are practical and enhance our collective knowledge. This will make research more impactful, applicable, and meaningful for society,” he concluded.
Author: Syifa Rahmadina
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
