UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) was the first stop of the 2025 Generasi Campus Roadshow, a joint initiative by Grab Indonesia and Narasi. Now in its second year, the event took place on Tuesday (Aug. 26, 2025) at the Airlangga Convention Center, MERR-C Campus. Carrying the theme Passion in Action, the program featured prominent public figures who encouraged young people to discover their passions while defining purpose in their lives.
Opening the event, UNAIR Vice Rector for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Ir. Mochammad Amin Alamsjah, M.Si., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for UNAIR being chosen as the host. “Alhamdulillah, I hope this occasion helps students strengthen their potential. It is also a proud moment for the UNAIR academic community,” he said.
Creativity on stage
The first session highlighted Aulia Rizsa Wirizqi, better known as Aulion, a content creator recognized for his vibrant visual style. He urged students not to fear starting small and to embrace experimentation. “It’s better to produce 50 simple pieces of content than just two perfect ones. The more you try, the more you learn, discover ideas, and build consistency,” he said.
According to Aulion, passion often begins with simple things—such as a favorite color, a topic one enjoys discussing, or even a personal style. Content, he added, should be nurtured like a child: cared for, developed, and strengthened through collaboration. “Don’t focus solely on going viral—create work that’s honest. That’s what leaves a deeper impact,” he added.
Passion and identity
The main talk show, Passion in Action: Powering Your Purpose, brought even more energy to the event with speakers Najwa Shihab, Nicholas Saputra, and Raditya Dika.
Dika opened by sharing his personal journey as a writer since childhood. For him, passion is marked by the willingness to do something repeatedly until one loses track of time. Still, he stressed that passion must carry value to create lasting impact.
He explained that he defines himself by skills rather than profession. “Work without value won’t endure. I call myself a storyteller, not just a comedian or writer. Professions may change, but skills remain relevant,” he said.
Risk and flexibility
Actor Nicholas Saputra followed by reflecting on his career path. He had pursued acting since high school, even though the Indonesian film industry then offered little certainty. “There were no guarantees, but I kept moving forward. Persistence and the courage to take risks are what set us apart,” he said.
For Saputra, passion does not always need to align with a primary career. It can also be maintained through side projects, as long as they provide room to grow. “The world is constantly changing, so flexibility is crucial. As long as my heart is beating, I will keep exploring new things,” he emphasized.
Consistency and adaptation
Najwa Shihab, by contrast, described passion as a form of love that must be proven. She stressed that passion may shift forms over time, but its core purpose should remain constant. “I was once in the field, and now I work through Narasi. My goal is the same: ensuring the public receives accurate information,” she explained.
Shihab also highlighted two essential skills for thriving in today’s fast-changing world: adaptability and consistency. Adaptability keeps us relevant, while consistency preserves integrity. “Passion is important, but contribution, responsibility, and a sense of meaning are what allow us to grow,” she added.
As the event drew to a close, Shihab left UNAIR students with a parting message: to take risks and start early while still in college. “Students have the privilege of time and space to fail. Don’t postpone, don’t make excuses. Start now, and use up your supply of embarrassment while you’re young,” she concluded.
Author: Fania Tiara Berliana Marsyanda
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
