UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) conferred degrees upon its students in the first commencement ceremony of 2026. A total of 2,605 graduates, spanning undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, participated in the Graduation 261. The ceremony took place at the Airlangga Convention Center (ACC), MERR-C Campus, from Saturday, April 11, 2026, through Sunday, April 12, 2026.
UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, S.E., M.Si., M.Fin., exhorted the graduates to uphold the institution’s reputation. He stressed the importance of embracing the HEBAT values (Humble, Excellent, Brave, Agile, Transcendent) as a guiding principle for alumni. “You are individuals of strong competence, but you must remain grounded. Remember UNAIR’s philosophy, Excellence with Morality. Knowledge must always be guided by ethics and integrity,” he said.
Walking together to create impact
Prof. Madyan encouraged graduates to venture into the professional world while maintaining strong connections through the UNAIR Alumni Association. He emphasized that success should not be pursued individually, but through collective effort and mutual support to generate meaningful contributions to society.
The Faculty of Economics and Business professor added that a university’s true prestige lies not in its physical infrastructure, but in the extent to which its graduates shape global progress.
“View Universitas Airlangga alumni as a reflection of the future, spread across regions and professions worldwide. They all started from the same point where you are today. Their ability to cross national and professional boundaries proves that the education and values you have gained here are highly competitive,” he explained.
Global reputation shaped by the courage of Airlangga students
In his address, the rector also highlighted UNAIR’s growing global standing. He noted that the university’s strong rankings, including leading positions in three academic disciplines nationally, are the result of bold efforts to push beyond limitations.
“The global prestige UNAIR holds today is not given, but earned through the courage of our students to break barriers with outstanding achievements. Your presence on the global stage reflects that our academic quality stands alongside leading institutions worldwide,” he said.
He further underscored that UNAIR’s global recognition is driven by students’ continued unwavering dedication to groundbreaking innovation. “This intellectual strength is also evident in the strong performance of UNAIR students in global diplomacy and debate arenas, demonstrating that the critical thinking cultivated here resonates internationally,” he added.
In closing, Prof. Madyan extended congratulations while expressing gratitude not only to the graduates but also to their parents and families. “Once again, congratulations on this achievement. I sincerely thank the parents and guardians who have entrusted us with the education and character development of their children at Universitas Airlangga,” he concluded.
Author: Yulia Rohmawati