UNAIR NEWS – Cross-disciplinary collaboration is key to addressing increasingly complex health challenges, including infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change. Prof. Muhammad Miftahussurur, Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Community Development (RICD) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), said this at SDGs Connect 11th IAC Meeting & 5th Health Promotion International Conference.
The event took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in the Garuda Mukti Hall on the 5th floor of the UNAIR MERR-C Campus Management Office. In his presentation, Prof. Miftahussurur explained that addressing health challenges requires collaboration among various parties.
“The One Health approach reminds us that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected. These challenges cannot be solvedby just one sector, so collaboration is needed to develop sustainable solutions,” he said.
UNAIR realizes One Health
UNAIR is developing the One Health approach through four main pillars: research and innovation, education, community empowerment, and partnerships. The four pillars are aimed to providing tangible solutions that benefit the public.
According to Prof. Miftah, research is not enough if it merely results in scientific publications. It must also provide practical solutions to support disease prevention and evidence-based policymaking. Meanwhile, multidisciplinary education encourages students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to address real-world problems.
“The most important thing is not the university’s achievements, but rather how the knowledge and activities we engage in can improve people’s quality of life, create healthy communities, and protect the environment,” he said.
Encouraging real contributions
Through a variety of education and community service programs, UNAIR encourages students to apply their knowledge to address challenges in health, sanitation, food security, and environmental sustainability.
“The hope is that through collaboration with the government, communities, and international partners, we can expand the programs impact while supporting the sustainable achievement of the SDGs,” he concluded.
Author: Maulya Afifah Zahra
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
