UNAIR NEWS — Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), through its Institute for Sustainable Community Service (LPMB), once again organized the UNAIR KKN Inbound Insight program by involving international students from various countries. The program took place from Sunday (May 10, 2026) to Saturday (May 16, 2026) across several locations in Mojokerto, including Rumah Kompos Trawas, the Sumber Macan Spring, and the Seloliman Environmental Education Center (PPLH).
Astri Dewayani, dr., PhD, Coordinator of International Relations and Partnerships at LPMB, explained that KKN Insight serves as a platform that integrates community engagement, environmental education, and cultural exchange. The program also provides international students with opportunities to learn directly alongside local communities at various service sites.
“We want international students not only to become familiar with Indonesian culture, but also to understand how local communities manage the environment and implement sustainable lifestyles,” she said.
Exploring environmental practices and local potential
From Sunday (May 10, 2026) through Wednesday (May 13, 2026), participants took part in activities at Rumah Kompos and the Sumber Macan Spring in Trawas. During the sessions, participants learned about converting organic waste into compost and pellets, household waste management, and water source conservation.
Participants also observed river flow conditions and water catchment areas surrounding the activity sites. Dewayani noted that the learning activities aligned with SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.
The program then continued from Thursday (May 14, 2026) to Saturday (May 16, 2026) at PPLH Seloliman under the theme Ecology and Conservation. During this session, participants worked on several case studies related to environmental conservation and community empowerment.
Participants also discussed challenges surrounding the underutilization of land and the distribution of local community commodities. “Through this activity, we were encouraged to understand the importance of managing local potential to support sustainable community economies,” said Ayob Bin Zanberi, a participant from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
Building cross-cultural connections
The UNAIR KKN Insight program also served as a cultural exchange platform for international students from countries including Malaysia, Somalia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Zambia. Through the program, participants were able to build relationships while learning about one another’s cultures and social environments.
“Because we lived together for a week, we became much closer and got to know one another better. We come from different cultural backgrounds, so this activity helped us build strong connections and exchange experiences,” said Faizal Ali, a student from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
In closing, UNAIR expressed hope that programs such as UNAIR KKN Insight would continue to be held annually and involve even more international participants. “We also hope this program can continue to provide broader benefits for both the community and the students involved,” she concluded.
Author: Maia Chaerunnisa
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
