UNAIR NEWS – The Faculty of Humanities (FIB) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continued to strengthen its international academic presence through an official visit to Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia, on Tuesday (November 18, 2025). During the visit, Nunuk Endah Srimulyani, SS, MA, PhD, a lecturer from UNAIR’s Department of Japanese Language and Literature, took part as a guest speaker. She delivered a presentation at a seminar hosted by the Department of East Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya.
At the seminar, Dr. Srimulyani presented a paper titled “The Philosophy of Sashiko: Mottainai and Its Relevance to the Discourse on Sustainable Lifestyles.” She examined the relationship between philosophical values and cultural practices reflected in Sashiko, a traditional Japanese stitching technique originally used to reinforce work garments and provide added insulation during colder seasons.
Dr. Srimulyani underscored that Sashiko goes beyond a simple sewing method, representing a practical embodiment of the mottainai philosophy. This principle emphasizes the importance of avoiding waste, particularly in the use of textile materials. She also discussed wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic that appreciates beauty in imperfection, aging, and simplicity. She noted that these philosophies remain closely connected to contemporary global conversations on sustainable living. The session prompted both academic and practical discussions among UM students, including how disciplinary knowledge and skills can be applied more broadly, such as transforming Japanese language and cultural expertise into viable business opportunities.
Strengthening collaboration
Beyond the academic forum, the FIB UNAIR delegation also used the visit to reinforce institutional cooperation. As part of the follow-up agenda, Rizki Andini, S.Pd., M.Litt., PhD, attended on behalf of FIB UNAIR to advance discussions on academic collaboration with Universiti Malaya.
As a concrete expression of this shared commitment, the two institutions signed an Implementation Agreement, formalizing expanded cooperation in academic programs, faculty and student exchanges, and joint scholarly activities. Representing Universiti Malaya, the agreement was signed by Dr. Normalis Amzah, Dr. Kaori Kimura, and Dr. Asmadi Hassan.
Through these academic engagements and the formalization of partnership, FIB UNAIR reaffirmed its role as an active contributor to the international development of cultural and language studies. Through collaboration with Universiti Malaya, the faculty aims to open wider opportunities for lecturers and students alike, not only in joint research and academic mobility, but also in fostering cross-cultural dialogue responsive to current global challenges.
FIB UNAIR remains committed to innovation, expanding strategic partnerships across Asia, and contributing meaningfully to the internationalization of Universitas Airlangga. This initiative marks a significant step toward UNAIR’s broader goal of becoming a leading university with strong international standing and a lasting global impact.
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
