UNAIR NEWS – Muhammad Aldo Setiawan, S.Si., M.Sc(Eng), a lecturer and researcher from the Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline (FTMM) at Universitas Airlangga, participated in the International Week event under the framework of Erasmus+ KA171 Staff Mobility Program at Šiaulių Valstybinė Kolegija (SVAKO), Lithuania.
During his visit to SVAKO, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan delivered a total of 11 hours of teaching sessions, covering three interconnected modules: AI Models for Robotics, Sensor Technology in Autonomous Systems, and Drone Platforms and Applications. The sessions, conducted in English and attended by ICT undergraduate students from multiple countries, quickly developed into highly interactive discussions.
Reflecting on his experience, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan shared, “It was genuinely one of the most energizing teaching experiences I have ever had. The students were engaged, curious, and unafraid to challenge ideas.” He further explained how a technical lecture evolved beyond expectations.
“We ended up debating the nature of human consciousness itself, and whether consciousness might simply emerge from an almost infinite number of input variables, not entirely unlike the mechanism of an AI system.”
This spontaneous shift from engineering to philosophy highlighted the openness of the learning environment, where ideas were explored freely and shaped collectively by students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Muhammad Aldo Setiawan observed a notable difference in classroom dynamics compared to Indonesia. “One of the most striking differences is the level of student autonomy and critical engagement,” he noted. Students at SVAKO were comfortable openly questioning, debating, and even respectfully disagreeing with the lecturer.
He described the interaction as “horizontal and dialogue-based rather than one-directional,” where students actively built on each other’s ideas. This created what he called “a very alive classroom dynamic,” where participation was driven by genuine curiosity rather than obligation. The presence of students from different countries further enriched discussions, bringing together perspectives that extended beyond a single academic culture.
In addition to teaching, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan also participated in several workshops during the International Week, including the NEOLAiA communication tools workshop, an Event Marketing workshop by Prof. Anna Mazurek-Kusiak, and a Digital Media workshop led by lecturer Stefan Sfichi. He also attended the Lego Serious Play for Employee Wellbeing workshop led by Dr. Vita Juknevičienė, which introduced a creative and hands-on facilitation method.
He noted that the Lego Serious Play approach has strong potential for adoption in Indonesian higher education, particularly for team-building and pedagogical innovation. Another highlight was how digital tools were integrated into teaching.
“The workshop made direct use of drones and 360-degree cameras as tools for creating university promotional content,” he explained, describing it as a meaningful and practical application of technology in learning.
In his sessions, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan incorporated interactive elements such as real-time visualisations and a mini robot-based competition. “Students applied what they had learned in a live, competitive setting… the energy in the room during that activity was extraordinary,” he shared. He also introduced students to the open-source ArduPilot platform, giving them exposure to real-world tools used in professional drone development.
Beyond academic activities, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan explored Lithuania’s cultural landscape. He visited several notable sites, including the Hill of Crosses and Biržai Castle, and experienced local traditions such as Lithuanian folk music and the traditional skudučiai instrument.
Describing Šiauliai, he noted, “It is not a loud or overwhelming city, it welcomes you slowly, and reveals its character gradually.” The city’s green spaces, historic architecture, and warm community created a welcoming atmosphere that contrasted with the dense and fast-paced environment of Surabaya.
One of the most memorable highlights occurred during a cultural evening at Biržai Castle. Surrounded by participants from many countries, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan spontaneously performed “Hari Merdeka,” Indonesia’s iconic independence song. “In that single moment, I felt the true spirit of what international mobility means, not just academic exchange, but human connection across cultures,” he shared.
The experience was further enriched through informal gatherings, including dinners at Žemaitis Restoranas and evening meetups at Juonė Pastuogė tavern, where participants connected beyond formal academic settings.
The visit also opened pathways for future collaboration. Muhammad Aldo Setiawan held a strategic meeting with Dean Erika Jonuškienė and faculty members from the Business and Technologies Faculty at SVAKO to explore joint initiatives. Discussions focused on potential collaboration in autonomous systems, drone technology, and applied artificial intelligence, as well as continued staff and student mobility under the Erasmus+ framework.
“The conversation was forward-looking and enthusiastic on both sides,” he noted. He also highlighted that staff mobility and joint research are the most immediately actionable opportunities, while student exchange could be developed further in the future. Additionally, he expressed interest in exploring Horizon Europe funding as a platform for joint research proposals.
Reflecting on the experience, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan emphasised its broader significance. “The most valuable takeaway was the renewed conviction that international collaboration is not a luxury, it is a necessity for any institution that wants to remain relevant and forward-thinking,” he stated.
Beyond academic outcomes, what remained most meaningful to him was the human dimension of the experience. “The friendships formed, the cultural exchanges shared… that is exactly what education at its best looks like,” he added, highlighting how moments such as singing “Hari Merdeka” in a Lithuanian castle symbolised the essence of global connection.
Looking ahead, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan plans to bring these insights into his teaching and institutional role. He aims to adopt more dialogue-based teaching approaches, encourage greater student autonomy, and actively pursue international collaboration initiatives.
For fellow lecturers considering similar opportunities, he offered practical advice: “Prepare your content but stay flexible, the most valuable moments will often be the ones you did not plan for. Bring Indonesia with you… do not just go to learn; go to share. And think beyond the week, build something lasting.”
Through this Erasmus+ experience, Muhammad Aldo Setiawan showed that education does not happen in classes only, but also from multi-cultural connection that expands perspectives with long-lasting impacts.
Author: AGE UNAIR
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia