UNAIR NEWS – As time progresses, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) remains steadfast in its commitment to serving society, even amid continuous change. One notable milestone occurred in 2006 when UNAIR officially transitioned into a State-Owned Legal Entity (BHMN). This change led to the restructuring and consolidation of several organizational units to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
One such adjustment involved the merger of the Institute for Community Service (LPKM) and the Institute for Research (Lemlit) into a single entity known as the Institute for Research & Community Service (LPPM). As a result, all community service activities were placed under the authority of LPPM.
UNAIR commitment to community service
During this period, LPPM was responsible for managing collaborations and initiatives involving external stakeholders, including local governments, private sector partners, and projects under the Directorate General of Higher Education’s LP2M program. These programs were funded over IDR 10 million. Additionally, each faculty coordinated its own community service programs, with funding of IDR 5 million allocated from the faculty’s Work and Budget Plan (RKAT).
In 2007, UNAIR carried out 121 community service projects, including 91 community service competitions and DIKS programs, 13 Science, Technology, and Arts (IPTEKS) community service projects, 1 Vucer community service project, 1 General Courses-based (MKU) community service project, 2 Entrepreneurship (KWU) community service projects, and 13 Applied Science and Technology (IPTEK Terapan) projects. Furthermore, UNAIR’s Faculty of Psychology established a crisis center in collaboration with the Indonesian Child Welfare Foundation of East Java.
The Faculty of Psychology has also launched Anak Ceria Early Childhood Education Center (PAUD) in partnership with Dharma Wanita Persatuan UNAIR. During this period, community service programs under LPPM focused on four main activities: training programs, consultation and mentoring services, seminars and exhibitions, and workshops.
Looking ahead, the university’s future community service programs would include sharia management and accounting, regional government accounting, entrepreneurship, strategic marketing, data management, environmental impact analysis (AMDAL), research methodologies, government procurement, literacy programs, as well as various studies and mentoring programs related to local governance.
Sustainable empowerment
In addition to community service initiatives, UNAIR also introduced capacity-building programs for 23,000 traditional market vendors in collaboration with Perusahaan Daerah Pasar Surya Kota Surabaya, a regional market authority in Surabaya. This program aimed to modernize market management to help vendors remain competitive amid evolving market dynamics.
At the time, UNAIR Rector Prof. Fasich expressed the university’s commitment to extending this partnership into a Student Community Service Program (KKN). As essential hubs for fulfilling the public’s needs, markets were seen as strategic sites for promoting grassroots economic empowerment.
“With our expertise, we hope UNAIR will be well received. We also hope that the nation’s economic potential at the grassroots level can thrive, and that Universitas Airlangga can play a meaningful role in supporting this progress,” said Prof. Fasich upon signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PD Pasar Surya on November 21, 2007.
UNAIR’s transformation into a State-Owned Legal Entity (BHMN) granted the university greater autonomy and independence in managing its affairs. This newfound flexibility opened doors for broader collaborations and expanded the scope of community service initiatives. With its wealth of expertise, UNAIR remains committed to delivering even greater benefits to society at large.
Author: Zahwa Sabiila Ilman Ramadhani
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
