UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) closed its 2025 Pengenalan Kehidupan Kampus Mahasiswa Baru (PKKMB) orientation program with an inspiring guest speaker. On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Ari Sufiati—Quality Assurance Manager at Apple Inc. and graduate of UNAIR’s Communication Science program—presented an inspirational talk show titled First Steps into the Global Stage: Stories, Aspirations, and Ambitions of Ksatria Airlangga.
The event, held at the Airlangga Convention Center (ACC) on the MERR-C Campus, encouraged first-year students to embrace global opportunities from the start of their university journey.
Start of global journey
Sufiati opened her session by emphasizing that being admitted to UNAIR is the first step toward a much greater endeavor. She urged students to understand where Indonesia stands on the global map. “Being accepted into UNAIR marks the beginning of your journey. This is the beginning,” she said.
Sufiati recounted her early college experience in Communication Science despite coming from a science background. While studying, she continued teaching science subjects to maintain her expertise. From a young age, she dreamed of going abroad—a goal she pursued by sharpening her English skills during her time at UNAIR.
English as gateway
Sufiati underscored the importance of English proficiency as a gateway to global opportunities. “If you want to step into the global arena, you must master English,” she stressed. Her language skills earned her a place in a youth exchange program in Australia, opened doors to work in radio and print media, and eventually led to an international career. In 2005, she relocated to the United States, starting from scratch. She spent seven years in property management before joining Apple Inc.
At Apple, Sufiati discovered a collaborative and enjoyable work culture, including opportunities to attend concerts and participate in team activities. She also built networks with Indonesian public figures such as Putri Tanjung, Dahlan Iskan, and other prominent individuals in the U.S. Her home became a welcoming place for Indonesian students abroad. “Sometimes I cook rawon, soto, and other Indonesian dishes,” she recalled.
Inspiring spirit of Ksatria Airlangga
To close her session, Sufiati encouraged students to dream boldly while staying grounded in reality. “Dream big, but focus on what you can do right now,” she advised. She also introduced Indonesia Lighthouse, a nonprofit she founded with the tagline Shaping the World: Empowering Indonesia–USA Innovation Ecosystem, which focuses on strengthening innovation ties between Indonesia and the United States.
Through the organization, Sufiati facilitates cross-border collaborations, shares her experiences, and creates opportunities for young Indonesians to excel internationally. She hopes her story will inspire Ksatria Airlangga to explore the world and become globally minded leaders of the future.
Author: Nafiesa Zahra
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
