UNAIR NEWS – As part of efforts to deepen higher education cooperation between the European Union and Indonesia, delegates of European embassies visited the Europe Centre (EUC) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). The visit took place on Wednesday (July 1, 2025) at the EUC office, located on the 12th floor of the ASEEC Tower at UNAIR’s Dharmawangsa-B Campus.
Among the delegation was H.E. Denis Chaibi, the European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, accompanied by ambassadors and representatives from 12 other European countries, including Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Lithuania, and others.
Prof. Iman Harymawan, SE, MBA, PhD, Director of Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE), warmly welcomed the distinguished guests. “Welcome to what we hope feels like your second home—the EU Centre at UNAIR. This is the first EU Centre established in Indonesia. Today, UNAIR has over 48,000 students, including more than 2,000 international students each year,” he said.
Expanding national and international collaboration
Prof. Harymawan explained that UNAIR has consistently welcomed a significant number of students from across Europe. “We’ve established collaborations with universities and faculties in 28 European countries. We regularly receive students from the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and others,” he noted.
In turn, UNAIR students participate in various academic programs in Europe, including exchange programs, internships, and scholarships. These initiatives support Indonesia’s broader development goals through academic and research engagement.
Prof. Harymawan emphasized that UNAIR’s EU Centre, the first of its kind in Indonesia, plays a vital role in advancing student interaction and fostering diplomatic connections—not only for UNAIR students but also for students from other universities across the country.
“The strong relationship between the EU and UNAIR is something we extend to all faculties, and not just within UNAIR. We welcome students from outside our university as well. Our goal is not exclusivity, but inclusivity,” he emphasized.
Meaningful student engagement
EU Ambassador H.E. Denis Chaibi highlighted the value of meaningful interactions between European diplomats and Indonesian universities. He described the EUC as a vital platform for impactful diplomacy focused on student collaboration. “Instead of repeating seminars for the same audience, this kind of engagement creates space for active dialogue, broader interest, and stronger people-to-people connections,” he said.
Ambassador Chaibi, along with Deputy Ambassador Stefan, is committed to building partnerships with Indonesia’s top universities. Their approach centers on direct engagement—through visits, discussions, and collaborative initiatives with students. “This is a powerful tool for generating meaningful interaction between the EU and Indonesian students,” he added.
He also emphasized that through programs like scholarships and exchange opportunities, students should take full advantage of these offerings. The EU continues to promote academic opportunities in Europe through initiatives such as the European Higher Education Fair and pre-departure events for scholarship awardees.
Swedish Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Daniel Blockert shared that Sweden currently supports a doctoral program for medical students at UNAIR. He also praised UNAIR for its strong engagement and the diverse backgrounds of its student body from across the archipelago.
Author: Febriana Putri Nur Aziizah
Editor : Ragil Kukuh Imanto
