UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) is strengthening its international academic network through a working visit to Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The meeting opened opportunities to deepen collaboration in research, scholarly publications, doctoral education, and research partnerships aimed at creating tangible benefits for industry and society.
The UNAIR delegation was led by Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development (RICD), Prof Dr Muhammad Miftahussurur, dr MKes SpPD-KGEH PhD. Edinburgh Napier University was represented by Dr Gail Norris, Associate Dean International and Associate Professor of Midwifery at the School of Health & Social Care, and Dr Pauline A. Gordon, Deputy Head of International (Partnerships) at The Business School, along with representatives from several research centers.
From consortium collaboration to applied research
Prof Miftahussurur explained that UNAIR and Edinburgh Napier have already been connected through several global research networks, particularly in the health sciences. Going forward, the two institutions aim to build on these connections through joint research initiatives developed collaboratively from the outset, with clearly defined agendas, funding, and outcomes.
He also introduced UNAIR’s research ecosystem, including research centers and centers of research excellence in the health sciences with established international networks in clinical and community-based research. At the same time, he emphasized UNAIR’s interest in broadening its partnerships into business, public policy, and community development, consistent with the RICD portfolio.
Research connected to industry and society
The Edinburgh Napier leaderships highlighted several research centers within The Business School that work directly with industry, government, and communities. These include the Centre for Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions, which helps businesses and communities develop innovative and sustainable solutions; the Tourism Research Centre, which focuses on sustainable tourism; the Centre for Child & Family Law & Policy, which contributes to the development of family law and policy; and the Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement.
“These centers are multidisciplinary and open to research collaboration with international partners,” she said.
Prof Miftahussurur said this model of research centers working closely with industry aligns with UNAIR’s efforts to strengthen research commercialization and community development. It could therefore create opportunities for applied research partnerships, particularly in sustainability, the creative economy and tourism, and social policy.
“In the health sciences, Edinburgh Napier has research strengths in mental health, wellbeing, and midwifery, including an ongoing midwifery project with partners in Vietnam that has the potential to be expanded to the Indonesian context,” he said.
Doctoral programs and joint supervision
The discussion also turned to doctoral education as a potential pathway for deepening joint research. Edinburgh Napier presented its Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), a flexible, modular program that includes online components, allowing students from Indonesia to participate without having to live in Edinburgh throughout their studies. The two sides also discussed a split-site PhD model, in which students divide their time between their home university and Edinburgh Napier while receiving supervision from faculty at both institutions.
Prof Miftahussurur explained that UNAIR has already established joint-supervision arrangements with universities in Australia, Japan, and Taiwan, with the timing and location of study determined jointly by students and their supervisors. He proposed developing similar arrangements with Edinburgh Napier, including sandwich and double-degree programs, through UNAIR’s Graduate School and Faculty of Economics and Business.
Follow up meetings
As a follow-up to the visit, the two institutions agreed to hold a technical meeting online involving UNAIR’s Graduate School and relevant units. The meeting will focus on developing doctoral education partnerships, joint research initiatives, and collaboration with several research centers at Edinburgh Napier.
During the visit, Prof Miftahussurur was accompanied by Prof Ferry Efendi, SKep Ns MSc PhD, Head of the Institute for Journal Development, Publication, and Intellectual Property (LPJPHKI) and a lecturer at UNAIR’s Faculty of Nursing (FKp). Prof Efendi highlighted opportunities for joint research on the migration of Indonesian nurses overseas through government-supported pathways, including to Japan and Germany, as well as opportunities to expand collaboration in midwifery.
“The visit to Edinburgh Napier University is part of the UNAIR delegation’s working visit to the United Kingdom from September 7–13, 2026, which also includes a meeting with King’s College London and participation in EAIE Glasgow 2026,” said Prof Efendi.
Author: Prof Ferry Efendi, SKep Ns MSc PhD / Khefti Al Mawalia
