UNAIR NEWS – The second day of 13th ICAS featured a book fair at the ASSEC Building Lobby, Dharmawangsa B Campus, Universitas Airlangga, on Monday, July 29, 2024. Nineteen publishers from Indonesia and around the world participated in the event.
Hilmar Farid, PhD, Director General of Culture, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), highlighted the importance of the book fair as conference experience.
“This book fair is just as crucial as the conference itself. We hope that participants not only attend the conference but also seize the opportunity to publish their ideas in the form of books, manuscripts, and journals,” Farid told the UNAIR NEWS team on Monday (29/7/2024).
Engaging concept
Farid also praised UNAIR for the thoughtfully designed and engaging concept of the book fair. The layout was spacious and inviting, encouraging participants to spend time at the fair without feeling crowded.
“The design is excellent and engaging. This setup invites participants to spend their time here (at UNAIR). The spacious layout ensures that visitors can browse comfortably. Additionally, the displayed photographs are very artistic, aligning perfectly with the theme,” Farid remarked.
Significance
This major Asian conference, held for the first time in Indonesia, has a profound impact, especially for young Indonesian scientists who get to meet international experts in person. This interaction is expected to inspire new ideas and collaborations in Asian studies.
“This event is a golden opportunity for participants to build and expand connections through conferences, discussions, and academic panels organized by 13th ICAS. Equally important are the interactions outside the conference. Participants can socialize and showcase their research and innovations to peers from various countries,” he explained.
AUP vital role
Airlangga University Press (AUP) also played a pivotal role in 13th ICAS. AUP has made significant advancements through collaborations with international publishers for the publication of works and journals. UNAIR has contributed its cutting-edge research to Scopus.
“This collaboration between publishers will facilitate scientists in publishing and accessing Scopus. It extends beyond journal publication to include books published in partnership with Springer. This is a significant breakthrough for the academic world,” added Farid.
In conclusion, Farid expressed his hope that 13th ICAS would open new opportunities for Indonesian intellectuals to showcase their presence and contribute to global research. Additionally, it should foster the creation of new publications through the conference and its panels.
Author: Satrio Dwi Naryo
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
