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Tag: Indonesia

Universitas Sumatera Utara organises journalism workshop

Posted on by Maryam Mazaya

In the era of advanced communication and information technology, the ability to access and share information has become a fundamental necessity. This accessibility has given rise to citizen journalism, where anyone, not just professional journalists, can contribute to the dissemination of information.

Recognizing the importance of this trend, the Community Service Team from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), led by Dra. Mazdalifah M.Si., Ph.D., along with her colleagues Dra. Linda Elida M.Si. and Dra. Nita Savitri M.Hum, organized a two-day journalism workshop on May 12-13, 2024. The workshop aimed to enhance the citizen journalism skills of students at the Pondok Pesantren Unggul Terpadu SASBARA in Bah Aren Pematang Sidamanik, Simalungun. This initiative was supported by the Lembaga Pengabdian pada Masyarakat (LPPM) at USU.

The workshop began with 23 enthusiastic students learning about the fundamentals of citizen journalism. Communication Science students Farhan Alvadin Lubis, Azzahra Dwi Prananda, and Syah Hendra Mahadi presented topics including the basics of journalism, news writing, and photography using mobile phones. Each participant received reading materials to deepen their understanding of these subjects.

On the second day, the students applied their newfound knowledge in a practical journalism workshop. They were divided into groups and tasked with writing news articles and taking photographs around the SASBARA pesantren. The best group and the most active participants were recognized and appreciated by Dra. Mazdalifah M.Si., Ph.D., the head of the activity. An entertainment session by Rumah Kreatif Mutiara Langit Biru, featuring origami practice, provided a creative break.

Through this community service initiative, USU hopes to empower these students to become proficient citizen journalists. By adhering to journalistic standards and utilizing information technology wisely, they can contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.

#FISIPUSU #CommunicationUSU #USU

UNAIR to host the 13th International Convention of Asia Scholars

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

In collaboration with the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) through the Airlangga Institute of Indian Ocean Crossroads (AIIOC) is hosting the 13th International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS).

Scheduled from July 28, 2024, to August 1, 2024. UNAIR is making various preparations for this event. Lina Puryanti PhD, Director of AIIOC, mentioned that it will be the first time Indonesia hosts this international event. “ICAS is a major event, and Indonesia has no prior experience in hosting this international activity. This is a breakthrough,” she said.

Puryanti also explained that preparations have currently reached 60 percent. Representatives from 66 countries are expected to attend the event, with the potential for even greater participation as the event draws near. “So far, there will be 1400 participants attending but the number can still increase. We are still opening up opportunities for more participants to join,” she explained on Friday, May 24, 2024.

Conference festival concept

Unlike typical conference events, the 13th ICAS will feature a conference festival concept. The event will extend beyond campus. Participants will have the opportunity to visit historical sites in Surabaya, including the urban communities of Plampitan, Tambak Bayan, and Peneleh.

“This event is not merely a meeting among academics, but also academics and practitioners, even academics can become artists who display their work,” Puryanti stated.

Participants will focus on ten different topics. Puryanti hopes that the participants can learn from each other and share experiences. She also hopes that the knowledge gained by the participants will serve as a foundation for understanding the world. “So, what we have in Surabaya can become a basis for understanding the world,” she said.

Involving community participation

The event will not only involve academics and students but also the local communities. During the festival, there will be several exhibitions held in public areas close to the communities.

“We are organizing the festival to take place in public areas. The local communities will not be spectators but also organizers and parts of this event. UNAIR and the communities will welcome guests from around the world,” she explained.

Puryanti stated that this opportunity is beneficial for both UNAIR and Indonesia. “This is a great opportunity for UNAIR to strengthen its position on the global stage. Indonesia’s vast potential will also be highlighted at this event,” she said.

Puryanti and her team are optimistic that with the support of various parties, the 13th ICAS will run smoothly. “Being entrusted with an event of this magnitude is an honor. We are optimistic that the event will be a success. Hopefully, this event will bring pride to UNAIR and the nation,” she concluded. Held this year, the 13th ICAS is also a gift for UNAIR’s 70th Anniversary.

ITS Develops a Management Dashboard for Defence and Security in the North Natuna Sea

Posted on by ITS Global Engagement

Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) is actively engaged in community service programs. One of their latest initiatives involves the creation of a Management Dashboard for Defence and Security in the North Natuna Sea, Indonesia. On May 15, ITS launched the program and data collection efforts for this project, aiming to address the strategic challenges posed by the region’s proximity to the South China Sea. The event was held at the Soewarso Building at Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Angkatan Laut (STTAL), highlighting the collaboration between ITS, STTAL, and Telkom University Surabaya.

Prof. Erma Suryani, the head of the program, emphasized the significance of the North Natuna Sea’s natural resources and its vulnerability to territorial conflicts. To mitigate these risks, the team is developing a comprehensive base model and dashboard for enhanced monitoring and management. This model is divided into three submodels: the Hankam submodel for mapping defense and security, the infrastructure submodel for supporting sovereignty, and a marine resource management submodel focused on the fisheries sector. These submodels will help project future scenarios and inform policy decisions.

The developed submodels will be integrated into three management scenarios for the North Natuna Sea, aiming for effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly strategies. The first scenario targets optimal defense area management, the second improves defense and security infrastructure, and the third focuses on natural resource management. Additionally, ITS’ team is creating a dynamic dashboard with simulation features to visualize the impact of different variables on regional dynamics, threat spectrums, and the national defense system. This comprehensive tool is expected to enhance decision-making and strategic planning for the North Natuna Sea region.

Supporting business digitalisation, ITS launches Digital Business Study Program

Posted on by ITS Global Engagement

To produce graduates adept at managing digital-based businesses, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has launched the Digital Business Study Program. The official launch took place on May 16 at the ITS Tower 2 Auditorium. ITS Rector, Assoc. Prof. Bambang Pramujati, emphasized that the new program is part of ITS commitment to meeting society’s demand for expertise in digital business, addressing the challenges and opportunities of the digital era.

The program aims to foster adaptability and progressiveness in students, preparing them for the evolving landscape of business technology. Dr. Syarifa Hanoum, the Head of the ITS Business Management Department, expressed confidence in the program’s potential to produce experts who can contribute significantly to the digital economy. Dr. Lissa Rosdiana Noer, the Head of the new study program, elaborated that the program is designed to equip students with skills in managing and designing digital economic transformation processes. The curriculum is built on four pillars: functional management, digital systems and technology, business essentials, and digital business entrepreneurship and development.

The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of students and the digital industry, offering courses on digital systems, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) design, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), and database systems. Graduates are expected to excel in digital marketing strategies, data analysis, product development, and entrepreneurship, ensuring they are not only technically proficient but also well-versed in current business dynamics. The program, which will begin admitting students for the 2024/2025 academic year, aims to enhance opportunities through partnerships with foreign universities for double degree programs, with an initial student quota of 50 seats.

Cards for Everyone: Creative Action of USU Students to Support Mental Health

Posted on by Fotarisman Zaluchu

A group of creative students at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) have taken a unique approach within their campus to boost their peers’ mental well-being. As part of a Leadership course project, these students have strategically placed motivational cards at several bus stops around the campus for others to pick up freely. These cards contain messages designed to help individuals accept themselves and encourage a positive outlook on life.

Aditya Pratama, a Social Anthropology student, shared that the initiative stemmed from concerns over the high rates of mental health issues among students. To draw attention, the cards are brightly colored. The project, named Card to Everyone, not only aims to provide motivation but also to foster a sense of caring among the student community. Vicky Rifai Adriansyah, another student, explained that the project has helped them become more empathetic towards others, noting that one significant cause of mental health problems is the feeling of isolation among students. In addition to distributing these cards, the student group has also set up an Instagram account @spread.positiveness to continuously share uplifting messages aimed specifically at students.

The project is overseen by Dr. Fotarisman Zaluchu, Dr. Irfan, and M. Rifai, MSc., and aims to equip students not just with knowledge but with tools to address challenges. Although it’s a small-scale initiative, it encourages students to think creatively about solving real-world issues.

ITS’ Anargya Team Ready to Compete in FSAE Japan 2024

Posted on by ITS Global Engagement

The Anargya team from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) is gearing up for the next Formula SAE Japan 2024, where they will compete once more. As part of the preparations, the team is actively working on developing an electric formula car and seeking help from Indonesia’s President, Mr. Joko Widodo. Rafi Ahmad Fadilah, the Non-technical Manager of the Anargya team, highlighted the significance of FSAEJ as a global competition for students creating electric formula cars. The event is scheduled to take place on September 9, 2024 at Aichi Sky Expo in Japan. To ensure their readiness for the competition, both technical and non-technical aspects are being thoroughly addressed.

This year marks the third participation of the Anargya ITS team in FSAEJ, and according to Rafi Ahmad Fadilah, their technical preparations encompass three main stages: design, manufacturing, and testing. The design phase commenced in October 2023, followed by ongoing manufacturing, with a particular focus on mechanical aspects this year. Ahmad, a student of the Department of Materials and Metallurgy Engineering, emphasized that alongside technical efforts, the team is also engaging in non-technical initiatives such as building collaborations with various stakeholders. These partnerships have provided the team with support and opportunities to showcase their innovation, Anargya EV Mark 3.0, at the 2024 Periklindo Electric Vehicle Show (PEVS) in Jakarta.

During the PEVS, the Anargya team met President Joko Widodo, who expressed strong support for their endeavors in electric vehicle technology. This encouragement from the President, along with backing from various stakeholders, has motivated the team to strive for excellence in FSAEJ 2024. Ahmad hopes that their preparations will lead to a successful performance in the competition, aiming for optimal car performance and the ability to compete effectively in the Dynamic Event. He concluded with optimism, hoping that their efforts would yield significant achievements.

Students of Communications Science Program, FISIP USU Promote Importance of Digital Media Literacy in Schools

Posted on by taichi

It is widely known that the advent of social media offers numerous benefits to human life. The quick, easy, and cheap access offered by social media in spreading various types of information is the key reason why this technology is favoured by many, including students. However, this ease of access also poses new challenges for social media users, such as difficulties in distinguishing between facts and fictions and the dangers of photo manipulation, which make individuals susceptible to fake news (hoaxes).

Acknowledging the importance of digital media literacy and the skills needed to minimize the spread of fake news, students from the Communications Science program at the Faculty of Social and Politics, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), held an educational socialization event on May 15 and 18, 2024, addressing two interesting topics: “Differentiating Facts and Opinions and Identifying Photo Manipulation on Social Media” and “Fighting Fake News on Social Media”.

The event, which was held at SMA Negeri 15 Medan and SMP Negeri 10 Medan, was attended by 66 students and supervised by Yovita Sabarina Sitepu as the co-lecturer of the Digital Media Literacy course in the Communications Science program at USU.

This socialization event is equipped with pre-test and post-test designed to measure students’ understanding of the topics before and after the material was presented. These tests revealed that this event significantly enhanced the students’ knowledge and comprehension of the discussed topics. To further develop students’ skills, various online tools that can be used to identify fake news were also introduced. Additionally, the students were tested on their ability to distinguish between authentic and manipulated photos through interactive games. The students actively participated and showed their enthusiasm throughout the whole event.

Through this socialization event, it is hoped that students will become more critical in receiving information—either online or offline—, more active in fighting the spread of fake news, and capable of addressing photo or video manipulation. This socialization also aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a wiser and more responsible social media user.

Tackling the Brantas River crisis, UNAIR and TU Delft empower women

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) is committed to addressing environmental issues. Its Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) has forged collaborations with Technische Universiteit (TU) Delft in the Netherlands, environmental activists and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to tackle the crisis facing the Brantas River.

Stretching 120 kilometers and coursing through 16 regencies and cities, The Brantas River plays a pivotal role in the lives of surrounding communities. It serves as a crucial water source for agriculture, livestock farming, residential areas, and industries. However, the river is currently confronted with environmental challenges, including water pollution.

This international and inter-institutional collaboration aims to address the crisis concerning the water quality of the Brantas River. TU Delft in the Netherlands initiated this program back in 2018. The water crisis in the Brantas River has been under scrutiny for the past five years. The year 2024 marks the dissemination phase of the ongoing program.

Other than UNAIR, three other universities are involved: Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Universitas Merdeka, and the National Institute of Technology in Malang. This collaboration is also supported by the Environmental Agency (DLH), Regional Development Agency (Bappeda), and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) of East Java.

They have launched initiatives such as developing a website and application for monitoring the river, conducting water patrols, and providing education alongside relevant agencies to improve water quality and address illegal structures.

The program, “Brantas Harmony,” aims to reduce pollution and control industrial waste contamination. This endeavor utilizes the pentahelix collaboration method, which involves five key pillars: businesses, practitioners, communities, academics, government, and media.

To keep stakeholders informed about the program’s progress, UNAIR’s FST organized a one-day Water Quality Seminar at the Brantas Watershed Management Unit on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Majapahit Hotel in Surabaya. During her address, Dr. Fatmawati, Vice Dean III of FST UNAIR, emphasized the vital importance of preserving natural resources for human life, including rivers.

“However, we fail to realize that our rivers face various challenges and problems related to pollution. All parties must collaborate continuously to maintain the ecological balance of water systems, especially the Brantas River,” she stated.

Furthermore, Fauzy Nasruddin MSc, Acting Governor of East Java, emphasized the significance of sustained collaboration in his speech. He also highlighted the need for various efforts, including innovative strategies, to preserve the Brantas River. It includes raising awareness and prompt reporting to government agencies to facilitate swift intervention.

Empowering women

During the event, Prof. Emy Susanti of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNAIR highlighted the empowerment of women in the Brantas River area. Based on her research and studies, women have minimal knowledge of environmental pollution.

“The participation of women in the empowerment of the Brantas River is not as expected. They are unaware that the river is polluted. Many do not agree that the river is contaminated by factories,” she added.

Prof. Emy also pointed out that, on average, women do not understand the connection between environmental pollution and resulting illnesses, such as skin diseases or gastrointestinal disorders.

According to Prof. Emy, raising women’s awareness about the importance of environmental and water conservation is essential. This effort also aims to empower women.

“Focusing on empowering women is crucial. Many women cadres can be at the forefront in providing knowledge that the river is polluted. All agencies must be involved, such as providing training and directly engaging in fieldwork to provide education, not just empty talk,” she emphasized. (*)

USU Students Hone Social Sensitivity at Special Needs School

Posted on by Fotarisman Zaluchu

A group of students from the Social Anthropology at Universitas Sumatera Utara engaged in activities at the Taman Pendidikan Islam (TPI) Special Needs School in Medan, North Sumatra. There, they provided creative lessons to children with intellectual disabilities. The students participated in various activities, including playing games, storytelling, and teaching the children how to make pencil holders from popsicle sticks, which were then decorated according to the children’s imaginations. All participating students displayed great enthusiasm from the start of the activities to the presentation of their creations.

This initiative serves as a project for a leadership course. Dr. Fotarisman Zaluchu, a member of the teaching team for the course (with Dr. Irfan dan M. Rifa’i, MSc), explained that the project aims to cultivate social sensitivity among students through self-chosen and self-directed projects. This experience is intended to lay a moral foundation for their future roles as community leaders.

The involved students expressed a strong interest in participating in similar activities in the future. Nadya Fortuna Gunawan, one of the students, mentioned an increased awareness of the importance of recognizing the needs of others and expressed a hope to engage with more special needs children in interactive activities along with her peers.

Prior to the event, the students developed their own action plans. Dr. Zaluchu emphasized that leadership involves not only designing plans but also executing them, making these activities valuable learning and reflective experiences.

Muammar Rifqi, another student participant, remarked that social sensitivity is an essential skill for students, applicable in their future roles as community leaders. Reflecting the leadership course’s motto, student today, leader tomorrow, he expressed a desire to help build communities that greatly need their support

UNAIR researcher receives award for discovering potential cancer cell inhibitor

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

A remarkable achievement made by a young researcher Muhammad Ikhlas Abdjan, a doctoral student at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). Ikhlas has made his mark on the international stage by receiving the best paper award from a well-known journal “Engineered Science” at the International Conference on Innovative Discoveries and Advancements in Applied Sciences iDEAAS 2024 at Mahsa University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Appreciation was given for his research in discovering medicinal compounds to prevent the growth of cancer cells.

His research has been selected as one of the papers out of hundreds of researchers worldwide. Ikhlas was the only student participating in the event. The participants were mostly senior researchers and professors.

Furthermore, the research supervised by Prof Dr Nanik Siti Aminah M Si and Prof Dr Alfinda Novi Kristanti DEA added this to its list of achievements. Previously, it has been included in popular chemistry in 2022, and hot article collections in 2021 by a well-known publisher Royal Society of Chemistry.

Compound discovery

His research entitled “Pharmacokinetic, DFT Modeling, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Approaches: Diptoindonesin A as a Potential Inhibitor of Sirtuin-1” has caught the world’s attention because it is a new finding of a compound called Diptoindonesin A which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

“This compound was discovered by my mentor, Prof. Nanik Siti Aminah. However, it has never been tested on the sirtuin-1 enzyme. Therefore, I continued this research to find innovations to inhibit cancer cell growth by testing Diptoindonesin A with the sirtuin-1 enzyme,” he said.

The Diptoindonesin A compound can be found in the Shorea seminis plant which grows on the island of Kalimantan. Sirtuin-1 is one of the sirtuin enzyme classes that causes cancer. Ikhlas admitted that the research focused on sirtuin-1 because almost all types of cancer have activity from this enzyme.

“This research focuses on sirtuin-1 because this enzyme is major and its activity can be seen in most types of cancer such as cervical, breast, prostate and so on. Sirtuin-1 regulates cancer cells so that they continue to grow uncontrollably,” he said.

Ikhlas also added that previously he had carried out calculation simulation trials in the laboratory. From several enzyme compounds tested using computational calculation methods at the molecular level, Diptoindonesin A showed good inhibitory effects on sirtuin-1. The research used computational studies. It includes pharmacokinetic methods, DFT modelling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation.

Pharmacokinetic study predicts drug candidate criteria for the two compounds, diptoindonesin A and viniferin. It is also used to predict ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity). Based on ADMET, Diptoindonesin A can be absorbed into the small intestine. And, based on the distribution of BBB permeability, it does not directly affect brain cells. This compound also does not affect the body’s metabolic system.

DFT Modeling is used to describe the properties of compounds at the molecular to atomistic level. The goal is to know whether this molecule is stable, or whether it is reactive. From all property calculations, Diptoindonesin A and viniferin are stable. In that description, the structure between Diptoindonesin A and viniferin is the same. However, the differentiating factor is the presence of a glucose unit in the molecular structure of Diptoindonesin A.

“Even though the structure is the same, the glucose content in Diptoindonesin A influences the activity of the sirtuin-1 enzyme. Diptoindonesin A will interact with 21 amino acid residues in the sirtuin-1 enzyme which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells,” said Ikhlas.

Molecular docking is a method for studying drug and enzyme interactions at the molecular level. Docking is used to search for initial coordinates and molecular dynamics simulations comprehensively evaluate the overall stabilization of drug molecular bonds and interactions. The test showed good interaction stabilization of Diptoindonesin A with sirtuin 1 during the simulation.

Based on several testing methods, Diptoindonesin A is worthy of consideration as a cancer cell growth inhibitor drug. However, the drawback of this compound is that it is difficult to obtain because it is isolated from plants. To address this issue, further studies are expected to be conducted.

International collaboration

The discovery and research took almost a year. Ikhlas admitted to encountering obstacles related to research and laboratory facilities. To help with his research, Ikhlas even conducted research in two countries the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences Pakistan and Chulalongkorn University Thailand. The collaboration was vital in conducting his research. To develop his research, Ikhlas collaborates with the University of Malaya, Malaysia, regarding drug encapsulation in isolated compounds through computational and experimental approaches as anticancer agents.

“I hope this research can be sustainable, excellent research is research that never stops. It is always sustainable, focused on one field and developed continuously,” he concluded.