UNAIR NEWS – Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has just held GLACIAL (Global Citizenship Conference of Airlangga) and Banyuwangi International Community Services (BICS) programs. The opening of GLACIAL took place on Monday, September 4, 2023, at the Ternate Auditorium, ASEEC Tower, Campus Dharmawangsa (B) UNAIR.
The program succeeded in bringing in some international students from Malaysia, including from Universiti Malaya, Management and Science University, and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.
Global issues and youth roles
Muhammad Hafizh Athari as Chairman of the committee delivered a speech at the opening of GLACIAL. In his speech, he emphasized some global issues and challenges for the younger generation.
“As we know, we are facing global issues and challenges, for example, Jakarta with its pollution, issues, immigrants issues, and, of course, the problems of Ukraine and Russia that have not been resolved,” said Hafizh.
For this reason, through GLACIAL, he encouraged students and the younger generation to play their role in facing global issues and challenges. In his opinion, the younger generation has greater power and responsibility in creating changes to deal with global problems.
“Our strength and our responsibility in solving global issues is enormous. Thus, GLACIAL is here as a forum for us to connect and address global issues and challenges together,” emphasized the FST UNAIR Ambassador.
SDGs and future generation challenges
In line with Hafizh, Prof Dr Fatmawati MSi Vice Dean III FST UNAIR, who opened the event also said the same thing. She emphasized that students are the next generation who will face global challenges, especially in the new normal era. Prof Fatmawati said it can be done by realizing sustainable development goals (SDGs).
“One of the SDGs aims to end poverty in its various forms in society. Realizing the SDGs is the current challenge for all of us,” said Prof Fatmawati.
Through the GLACIAL international student mobility activity, the FST lecturer wanted all students to have greater awareness to overcome global problems. In addition, she also hoped that GLACIAL could boost the internationalization and promotion of academic and community activities at UNAIR.
“Hopefully, we can all benefit from this potential collaboration. Moreover, the international student mobility is also expected to promote the internationalization of academic and community activities at UNAIR, “ she concluded.
The welcoming event continued with the inauguration of GLACIAL by Prof Dr Fatmawati, MSi. GLACIAL participating students will take part in a series of other activities, such as short courses, campus tours, visits to Jambangan Village, mangrove conservation, and continued with other activities in Banyuwangi until September 10. (*)
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
