UNAIR NEWS – The Rector of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, MT, Ak, CA, officially inaugurated five new full professors from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) in a ceremony held on Thursday (May 8, 2025). The inauguration ceremony was held at the Garuda Mukti Hall, in UNAIR MERR-C Campus Management Building.
The newly appointed professors include Prof. Dr. Hery Suwito, Drs., M.Si.; Prof. Dr. Muji Harsini, Dra., M.Si.; Prof. Dr. Sri Sumarsih, Dra., M.Si.; Prof. Dr. Prihartini Widiyanti, drg., M.Kes., SBio; and Prof. Dr. Salamun, Drs., M.Kes. In his remarks, Prof. Nasih emphasized that the appointments would enhance FST’s academic contributions and amplify its impact on society and humanitarian advancement.
Emphasizing environmental contributions
Prof. Nasih noted that beyond being a prestigious academic milestone, the inauguration underscored the importance of Indonesia’s rich natural resources. The professors’ research, he explained, drew heavily from Indonesia’s vast biodiversity, demonstrating its potential for innovation.
“Indonesia is incredibly rich in natural resources—on land, at sea, and in the air. Nothing in our environment exists without purpose. From water to wildlife, everything carries intrinsic value that can enhance our welfare and human dignity,” he stated.
He also pointed out that these resources remain largely underutilized. Prof. Nasih expressed hope that the professors’ research findings would help shift this untapped potential into actionable outcomes that deliver real benefits to society.
Advancing biodiversity research
The rector highlighted the importance of biodiversity research in driving scientific progress and improving public health. As an example, he cited Prof. Suwito’s studies in the Balikpapan National Park and Indonesia’s new capital city region (IKN), which have led to the discovery of numerous bioactive compounds with significant potential.
“UNAIR even has a monument in that park, which we plan to develop into a biology lab. The innovations emerging from that site can be further utilized. It’s a concrete step forward in UNAIR’s scientific contributions,” Prof. Nasih added.
Research into plant species, shellfish, and other natural assets offers strong potential in disease detection and medical screening. The scientific breakthroughs achieved by UNAIR professors underscore the critical role of Indonesia’s biological resources in health and environmental research.
“For instance, Prof. Widiyanti’s work on enzymes like collagen reveals wide-ranging benefits, while Prof. Salamun’s exploration of plant-based, eco-friendly insecticides highlights how natural compounds can be harnessed for practical applications,” he said.
From discovery to application
Prof. Nasih stressed that the newly appointed professors are not merely focused on early-stage research but are committed to advancing their work through to practical implementation. He encouraged them to develop their innovations to reach higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), ideally TRL 8 or 9. “This aligns with our broader policy to ensure research builds on past findings and progresses toward real-world application. We’re particularly focused on areas with the highest potential to benefit humanity—whether in medical treatments, disease prevention, or environmental preservation,” he explained.
In closing, Prof. Nasih congratulated the five new professors, describing them as exceptional academics. He expressed confidence that through their groundbreaking work, UNAIR will continue making a meaningful impact and strengthen its collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology. These efforts, he concluded, will position UNAIR as a leading institution in the advancement of science and environmental sustainability.
Author: Febriana Putri Nur Aziizah
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
