UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again made Indonesia proud on the global stage. At Thailand Inventors’ Day 2025, hosted by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) from February 2–6, the UNAIR SAFTEC team secured a silver medal and earned the Special Award from PI-Envex for their pioneering work in sustainability-driven technology.
SAFTEC, short for Smart Autofeeder Technology, is an innovative system that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance efficiency in the aquaculture industry. This smart system autonomously regulates both the quantity and timing of fish feed distribution, improving growth rates while reducing waste and cutting operational costs for fish farmers.
“We were initially intimidated by the exceptional innovations presented by 699 other participants from various countries. However, we remained confident that SAFTEC offered substantial value in fostering sustainability in the fisheries sector,” said Andini Carolina, head of the UNAIR delegation.
Achieving this milestone was no easy feat. The SAFTEC team encountered technical difficulties with their prototype just one day before departing for Thailand. “We worked late into the night to resolve the issue. It was an intense and stressful moment, but it also reinforced the strength and dedication of our team,” Carolina added.
Beyond technical challenges, the team also faced logistical and physical obstacles during their stay in Thailand. Every day, they had to walk long distances, take the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), and endure extended commutes to the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), the competition venue.
Despite these challenges, their perseverance paid off. Not only did the SAFTEC team earn a silver medal, but they also received an unexpected and exciting opportunity—a collaboration offer from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. “When one of the judges called us over, we never imagined it would lead to such a significant opportunity. This collaboration could be a crucial step in scaling up our innovation and broadening its applications,” Carolina shared enthusiastically.
The success of the SAFTEC UNAIR team serves as strong evidence that Indonesian innovations can compete on an international scale. “We hope this achievement inspires other students to continue innovating. Dream big and push boundaries—because innovation is the key to the future,” Carolina concluded.
Author: Sintya Alfafa
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
