UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Financial Sector Stability and Development (DJSPSK) of Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance, successfully hosted Ultimate Fest under the theme Nge-boost: Green Innovation for the Next Generation. The event took place on Thursday (Nov 20, 2025) at Bima Suci Hall, Airlangga Convention Center, UNAIR MERR–C Campus.
The seminar featured four inspiring speakers: Dr. Miguel Angel of Universitas Airlangga; Diyanto Imam of New Energy Nexus Indonesia; environmental influencer Andrew Kalawiet; and Dr. Bobby Wahyu, Director of Multilateral Cooperation and Sustainable Finance (KMKB) at DJSPSK, Ministry of Finance.
Green innovation through simple actions
Angel emphasized that Indonesia is rich in natural resources, yet these resources are steadily declining. Although numerous solutions already exist, he noted that many have yet to be implemented effectively.
“We already have the solutions. Many brilliant student ideas haven’t materialized due to factors such as high funding needs. But these ideas can still come to life through various efforts, such as joining organizations, starting from simple actions, doing real work, and building collaborative networks,” he said.
Echoing this view, Imam expressed his commitment to supporting young innovators through programs designed to help their ideas grow. He explained that his organization acts as both an innovation guide and a bridge to potential support systems. Imam also underscored the importance of beginning with practical, accessible steps.
“When we talk about innovation, the solution doesn’t always have to be spectacular. What matters is that the idea can be applied and fits the local problem. Simple ideas are fine as long as they solve real issues. Don’t create a solution first and then look for a problem to match it,” he stressed.
Role of youth and government
Kalawiet highlighted the crucial role young people play in protecting the environment. He believes pragmatic innovation, strategic use of social media, and cross-sector collaboration are essential.
“As young people, we must have a positive vision and develop practical innovations, things we can apply in our daily lives. Collaboration is also key. And we should leverage social media to actively raise awareness about environmental issues,” he said.
The government, Dr. Wahyu added, is fully committed to ensuring that bright ideas and forward-looking initiatives can be realized to support Indonesia’s long-term progress. He explained that the government functions as a conduit linking international partners to national stakeholders.
“Indonesia aims for eight percent economic growth as part of its path toward becoming a developed nation. We seek strong, high-quality, and sustainable growth. The vision is high economic expansion with equity, ensuring balanced development and long-term stability,” he noted.
Author: Putri Andini
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
