UNAIR NEWS – The Postgraduate School of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) held a public lecture on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, focusing on the theme Higher Education in a Post-Normal Ecosystem. The event took place in the International Lecture Room II, Mahendradatta Building at the Dharmawangsa-B Campus. Featured as the keynote speaker was Prof. Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang, Chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and former Rector of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Prof. Zaini Ujang explained that the world has entered what he referred to as the “post-normal era,” characterized by heightened complexity, unpredictability, contradictions, and rapid change. He stressed the need for a radical transformation in higher education to meet the challenges of this new reality. “Humans once exploited nature without restraint. Now, we must learn to manage it with greater responsibility and redefine our social relationship with the environment,” Prof. Zaini Ujang remarked.
He illustrated this concept through a story about a small island in Sweden where his colleague, Prof. Gustaf Olsson, resides. On the island, people forgo cars and televisions, choosing to walk or bike instead. According to Zaini Ujang, this way of life reflects a new paradigm that fosters a stronger, more harmonious relationship between people and nature—one that aligns with the values of the post-normal age.
Post-normal science
In his talk, Prof. Zaini Ujang also traced the origins of the term post-normal science, first introduced in the 1990s by researchers at Silbo Fantomics in Scandinavia. This framework aims to guide decision-making in complex and uncertain contexts—climate change being one of the most pressing examples, where scientific facts often intersect with conflicting values.
He argued that the conventional, linear methods of learning influenced by Cartesian thinking are no longer sufficient. Instead, universities must adopt more integrative, collaborative models that balance empirical evidence with social values.
“In fact, UNAIR’s Postgraduate School is already moving in this direction, even if unconsciously. The programs you offer already prioritize dialogue, integrity, and collaboration,” he said.
To close the lecture, Prof. Zaini Ujang cited scholar Ziauddin Sardar, who famously described our time as the “Post-Normal Age.” He urged higher education institutions to prepare for a period of transition, where outdated systems no longer serve their purpose and new frameworks are still taking shape. He called on students and academics alike to develop a mindset that is adaptable, critical, and responsive to the fast-paced changes reshaping the global landscape.
Author: Ameyliarti Bunga Lestari Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
