UNAIR NEWS – Highlighting SDG 9, four students from Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) won 1st place in a poster competition on Monday (October 15, 2026). They earned the award in the Visera National Competition organized by Universitas Negeri Malang (UM).
Naila Syifa Maheswari, Nabila Rahadatul Ais, Najjah Allodia Syah, and Naila Syifa Zafita participated in the public service poster competition. This event marked as their first competition and their first achievement since becoming UNAIR students.
High empathy as a technology teaching process
In this competition, they addressed the theme of digital empathy and elder literacy through a poster titled “Jangan Terburu-buru, Ajari Dulu”. They chose to address this issue based on what they observed in their surroundings. The younger generation has grown up with technology, while many elder generation struggle to keep up.
“We chose this title because our parents were patient when teaching us back then, now it’s our turn to repay that patience by gradually teaching them about today’s technological advancements,” said Ais.
The target of this service is young people and caregivers of the elderly. “When teaching them, give them (the elderly) a chance to try, ask questions, and repeat until they understand,” she added.
Ais also emphasized that the process of introducing technology, especially to the elderly, requires a high patience and empathy. They’ve observed that older adults who become proficient in technology ultimately feel more supported and comfortable.
SDG 9: Challenge of digital innovation in reaching all age groups
The team chose SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure) because the purpose of the poster was to address technology and sustainable development. “This advanced digitalization is not merely about the technology itself. We need to consider how inclusive it is,” she explained.
Technology has two sides: it can serve as a bridge or as a barrier. This depends on the level of training provided. As evidenced by numerous recent cases, older adults without proper training are vulnerable to misinformation and digital scams.
This situation requires a balance between rapid technological advancement and widespread acceptance across all generations. “We want this training to be provided on an ongoing basis. This is a preventive measure to ensure that older adults can recognize online scams and use social media safely,” she explained.
The team also hoped that this public service poster will be able to help a wide range of people in providing technological training. “From this poster, we sincerely hope that this will help gradually bridge the digital divide between generations,” she concluded.
Author: Qurrota A’yuni Latifa
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
