UNAIR NEWS – Faculty members from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) arrived at New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido, Japan, on Tuesday, December 4, 2024. The delegation, represented by Irfan Wahyudi and Agastya Wardhana, visited Hokkaido University to strengthen academic collaboration. The visit was initiated in response to an invitation from Professor Hyunjoo Naomi Chi of the Graduate School of Public Policy, an esteemed researcher specializing in migration, gender, and social inclusion.

Professor Chi has maintained an academic partnership with FISIP UNAIR since 2018, when she first participated in an international seminar organized by the Department of International Relations. Over the years, this partnership has grown through a series of academic initiatives, including her visit to Surabaya in 2022 and her involvement in ICAS 2024. During the recent discussions, the FISIP UNAIR team and Professor Chi explored potential collaborations, such as student internship programs, joint research ventures, and advanced study opportunities for young faculty members.

The discussion also involved Professor Norihiro Naganawa, Director of the Slavic-Eurasian Research Center. Against the backdrop of a frosty winter, with temperatures plunging to minus five degrees Celsius, the participants examined the strategic roles of Japan and Indonesia in addressing the Ukraine-Russia crisis. Both institutions agreed to draft a preliminary framework for a new cooperation agreement, emphasizing academic and student exchanges to bolster international partnerships.

The visit underscored the importance of cultivating inclusive and enduring academic networks. The FISIP UNAIR delegation highlighted that meaningful collaboration goes beyond formal agreements, emphasizing the necessity of fostering mutual respect and understanding in academic partnerships.

Author: FISIP UNAIR Public Relations

Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia