UNAIR NEWS – Building a healthy campus requires more than medical facilities. Responsive policies, participation from the campus community, and cross-unit collaboration also determine the success of health promotion. Through the Airlangga Health Promotion Center (AHPC), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) seeks to strengthen this movement and connect it with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Head of the Institute for Sustainable Community Service (LPMB) UNAIR Prof Drs Hery Purnobasuki MSi PhD explained that strengthening networks is one way to expand health promotion. This is reflected in AHPC’s involvement in UNAIR SDGs CONNECT: 11th IAC Meeting & 5th Health Promotion International Conference 2026, held from Wednesday (October 14, 2026) to Friday (October 16, 2026) at MERR-C Campus, UNAIR.
The meeting of the ASEAN University Network-Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) also opened up opportunities to link together a series of activities involving various parties. “This kind of collaboration is crucial so that health agendas are not merely the business of one unit, but a shared responsibility,” Prof Purnobasuki said.
Mobilizing healthy campus together
Prof Purnobasuki stressed that AHPC plays a role in promoting policies and habits that support the health of the campus community. Its efforts include healthy living education, monitoring of smoke-free areas, attention to canteen cleanliness, and waste management.
However, a health promotion unit cannot carry out the entire agenda alone. AHPC needs to work with faculties, facility managers, health workers, and other units as needed. UNAIR also has hospitals, clinics, and experts who can support education and follow-up on health issues.
“If we want to build a healthy campus, we need to communicate with each other and work together. This is our shared home, so everyone needs to take part in improving it,” he said.
If examinations find a condition that requires further treatment, AHPC can coordinate with health units at UNAIR or refer individuals to appropriate healthcare facilities. Collaboration with local government and other partners also helps meet the program’s needs, including personnel, instruments, and resources.
Expanding healthy campus impact
For Prof Purnobasuki, health promotion also relates to creating an environment that is safe, inclusive, and sustainable. The campus needs to pay attention to physical and mental health, accessibility of facilities, cleanliness of public spaces, and the comfort of all its users, including members of the public who visit UNAIR.
This approach aligns with the spirit of the SDGs, which encourage development through cooperation and continuous improvement. Therefore, a program’s success needs to be seen in real change, not merely stop at activity reports or assessments.
“My hope is that the policies we draw up are truly felt. The campus must become healthier and more comfortable, while all of its members help look after the environment and care about one another’s health,” he concluded.
Author: Maia Chaerunnisa
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
