UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration in support of its vision to become a leading and impactful university, not only at the local and national levels but also on the global stage. On Monday (December 15, 2025), UNAIR hosted a delegation from OIC–COMSTECH to further discuss cooperation with the World University Association of Community Development (WUACD) for programs planned in 2026.
The strategic meeting was led by Prof. dr. Muhammad Miftahussurur, MKes, SpPD-KGEH, PhD, Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development and Chairperson of WUACD. He was joined by Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, MSi, Executive Secretary of WUACD, along with senior leaders representing various university units and faculties.
Representing COMSTECH, an institution under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), were HE Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary Mustafa, Coordinator General of OIC–COMSTECH, and Associate Professor Dr. Humeraa Jahan, Secretary of OIC–COMSTECH. During the meeting, Prof. Miftahussurur conveyed his appreciation for the invitation extended by OIC–COMSTECH to attend the Rector’s Conference, held on 3–5 December in Islamabad.
“We sincerely thank OIC–COMSTECH for the invitation. The conference provided an important platform for strengthening academic diplomacy and advancing collaboration among universities across OIC member states,” Prof. Miftahussurur said.
He explained that the meeting served as a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in June 2025 between COMSTECH and WUACD. “OIC–COMSTECH and WUACD share a common vision in advancing inclusive and impactful higher education. reflect our shared commitment to capacity building and sustainable development through higher education,” he added.
Focus of collaboration
Prof. Miftahussurur then outlined three key programs to be implemented jointly with OIC–COMSTECH. The first is the Air Pollution Program, which seeks to address environmental challenges through research-driven and community-focused approaches. The second initiative is the CAPABLE Program, a collaboration between Universitas Airlangga and Bayero University, Nigeria. The program aims to strengthen the competencies of senior high school teachers in basic sciences, contributing to long-term human capital development in Africa.
The third initiative is the Strengthening Research Downstreaming Program, which adopts a triple helix model involving researchers in herbal medicine, the Government of Eswatini in Africa, and the Indonesian herbal industry. The program will focus on developing greenhouse facilities for medicinal plants as a tangible step toward sustainable innovation and economic empowerment.
Meanwhile, HE Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary Mustafa, Coordinator General of OIC–COMSTECH, highlighted Indonesia’s strategic role within the OIC. “Indonesia holds a very important position. It is the largest Muslim-majority country in the OIC and a founding member of both the OIC and OIC–COMSTECH,” he said.
OIC–COMSTECH proposals
Reflecting on the rapidly changing global landscape, Prof. Mustafa emphasized the importance of joint initiatives in research, innovation, and capacity building to achieve shared progress.
“I’d like to suggest 100 young people coming from African countries for research and innovations centered around community development. COMSTECH will sponsored them. I also suggest we have 25 of UNAIR faculty members to visit ten countries, including Pakistan, for capacity building, every year,” he said. He further proposed that WUACD become a custodian of a global university ranking system that prioritizes community engagement and social impact.
Author: Andi Pramono
