UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again achieved international recognition with the appointment of IGAK Satrya Wibawa SSos MCA PhD, a lecturer in the Department of Communications, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), as Deputy Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Indonesia to UNESCO. This prestigious appointment highlights his professional and academic qualifications while further enhancing UNAIR’s global reputation.
Embracing significant responsibility
In an interview on Monday, January 20, 2025, Wibawa expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him, recognizing the weight of the responsibility. “This appointment signifies a deep level of trust, both in me personally and in Universitas Airlangga. It is a mission I must carry out with utmost dedication. My success in this role will ultimately be judged by my superiors, the public, and the relevant stakeholders,” he remarked.
The selection process was conducted internally by the Secretariat General, but Wibawa’s acceptance involved careful consultation with his family and colleagues at UNAIR’s Department of Communications.
“My family plays a vital role in every major career decision. Relocating abroad is not just my journey—it also involves my family, particularly my children, who will need to adapt to a new environment. While it is challenging to leave my extended UNAIR Communications family, I hope this opportunity will generate broader benefits for the communities I serve,” he explained.
Advocating for Indonesia’s cultural heritage
With a solid academic foundation in communications and extensive experience in international relations, Wibawa is well-equipped for his new role. Previously, he served as Education Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore and played a key role in establishing UNAIR’s Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE) office.
“This experience has honed my ability to navigate multilateral communication across countries and cultures. I believe effective policies stem from strong interpersonal communication. Moreover, I plan to leverage digital media as a primary tool to engage with UNESCO stakeholders,” he stated.
Wibawa also underscored the importance of preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage, such as batik and Reog Ponorogo, both recognized by UNESCO. “The next priority is to implement UNESCO’s directives to preserve these cultural assets. This includes supporting local artists and encouraging youth involvement in cultural associations. As Indonesia’s representative, I aim to advance and capitalize on our prior achievements,” he added.
Urgency of global engagement
Addressing UNAIR’s students and faculty, Wibawa emphasized the critical need for international engagement. He noted Indonesia’s rich natural and cultural resources and urged the country to shift from being mere consumers to becoming producers who can influence global markets.
“International involvement is not just about appearances but about contributing actively to global issues. Let us collaborate, engage in dialogue, and take concrete action to address the world’s pressing challenges,” he concluded.
Author: Adinda Aulia Pratiwi
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
