UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to strengthen its presence on the international stage through outstanding achievements. Most recently, the university’s Drivetyguard team participated in the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) International Conference. The prestigious event was held from Friday to Sunday (July 3–5, 2026) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia. The team consisted of Ibrahim Al Khowwas as team leader and Farhan Aldan Khairian as the statistician, under the supervision of Tofan Agung Eka Prasetya SKep Ns MKKK PhD.
Ibrahim Al Khowwas said that the opportunity marked a significant milestone in representing UNAIR on a prestigious international platform. According to him, the international conference served as a strategic venue for expanding institutional networks and disseminating academic findings to a global audience.“Most of the presenters and ASAIHL participants were distinguished professors and senior academics from renowned universities. It was an invaluable opportunity to gain fresh insights and exchange ideas, particularly on the latest developments in technology,” he said.
Driving safety innovation
During the international conference, Al Khowwas presented a research project addressing a critical workplace issue: the high rate of road traffic accidents that threaten workers’ safety. To proactively mitigate these risks, the study employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a scientific decision-making method, to evaluate and prioritize the functional features of a smart driving safety application.“This research focuses on evaluating and prioritizing the functional requirements for developing a proactive driving safety application,” he explained.
Based on expert assessments, the PPE Compliance Check feature which verifies workers’ compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE), such as helmets and safety jackets was ranked as the highest priority due to its significant contribution to reducing accident risks. It was followed by the GPS Tracking and Emergency Reporting features.The team designed this digital innovation in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).This demonstrates that research grounded in local needs can provide practical solutions with global relevance,” he emphasized.
Lessons beyond borders
Furthermore, Al Khowwas emphasized that the opportunity to exchange ideas with delegates from various countries at ASAIHL 2026 had a transformative impact on his perspective regarding contemporary educational issues. The team’s contribution to the international conference also reflected the global recognition of UNAIR’s academic excellence.“It also demonstrates the university’s ongoing commitment to global collaboration, high-impact research, and strengthening its reputation as a world-class institution. After all, research is not enough to be written—it must also be heard, read, and create a broader impact,” he concluded.
Author: Putri Andini
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
