UNAIR NEWS –
The Airlangga Institute of Indian Ocean Crossroads (AIIOC) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has proudly announced to join a collaborative initiative called the Southeast Asia-Africa Platform (SEA-A). International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) in Leiden, the Netherlands, spearheads this initiative alongside other diverse universities. IIAS receives a $420,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, headquartered in New York for this initiative.
The funding will support a wide-ranging academic collaboration among key institutions in Southeast Asia and Africa. Partner universities include Universitas Airlangga (Indonesia), Kasetsart University (Thailand), the University of Ghana (Ghana), and the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), along with global partners such as Howard University (USA), Leiden University (Netherlands), Northern Illinois University (USA), and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (Singapore).
SEA-A commits to fostering new models of interregional knowledge sharing between Southeast Asia and Africa. It also aligns with the South-South-North (S-S-N) vision promoted by IIAS. The initiative further advances a long-term goal of expanding international networks and exploring cross-regional connections within the Indian Ocean region. It aims to engage in inclusive, transformative scholarship that links academic research with broader societal impact.
“This program presents real opportunities for academic mobility,” said Dr. Lina Puryanti, Director of AIIOC. “During the Asia-Africa meeting this June, each institution will outline concrete initiatives, from academic conferences to community engagement. It’s a significant opportunity for UNAIR scholars to not only host international partners but also actively participate in overseas programs.”
Advancing sustainable agenda
Dr. Puryanti emphasized that partaking in this programme not only highlights UNAIR’s growing international profile but also provides a foundation for sustainable academic programs that link the university to both local and global communities. AIIOC is committed to developing initiatives that go beyond Surabaya, reaching across the Indian Ocean rim—and potentially extending to Latin America and the Pacific region.
As part of the initiative’s next phase, AIIOC has already begun planning follow-up programs. One flagship project set to launch soon is a joint fellowship program in collaboration with the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) in Leiden, Netherlands. “IIAS already runs annual fellowships, and their scholars are focused on various fields within Asian studies,” Dr. Puryanti noted.
AIIOC’s participation in SEA-A reinforces its position as a leading center for Indian Ocean research and transregional dialogue in Indonesia. As the program evolves, AIIOC remains committed to fostering the production of innovative, locally grounded scholarship that connects Southeast Asia and Africa—through shared historical ties, present-day challenges, and a united vision for a just and sustainable future.
