UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga has been awarded PWI Jatim Award as Covid-19 handling institution in commemoration of 2021 National Press Day and the 75th anniversary of East Java’s PWI (Indonesian Journalists Association). The award plaque and certificate were handed over directly by the Chairperson of the PWI East Java, Drs. Ainur Rohim M.IP to UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, SE., MT., Ak., CMA. at Grahadi State Building, Friday, April 9, 2021.
UNAIR’s Contribution
UNAIR, both in East Java and Indonesia, is one of the best universities with a strong commitment to prevent and handle COVID-19. The efforts made by UNAIR include the development of UNAIR’s Merah Putih vaccine, handling of the pandemic through the Airlangga University Hospital (RSUA) as a referral service unit for patients with confirmed COVID-19, and the Institute of Tropical Diseases as a research center for various diseases. Furthermore, UNAIR is also active to prevent Covid-19 through “UNAIR Covid-19 Handbook “. And, most recently UNAIR conducted a vaccination at Dr. Soetomo Hospital and ACC UNAIR.
Regarding the implementation of vaccination, Drs. Ainur Rohim M.IP said that in a pandemic situation, the press are among the groups that are prone to infection. Ainur, submitted a request to the Governor of East Java, Dra. Hj. Khofifah Indar Parawansa, M.Si to be given the opportunity to get vaccination. It is natural because the level of mobility is quite high.
“They (the press, ed) need to be protected medically, not only to protect themselves, but also important to protect the interests of sources and society,” he said.
Ainur emphasized the interest of the mass media must be considered. He emphasized that there are important distinguishing factors between mass media and social media, mass media contains healthy information and news, internal detection management processes, there is a process of clarification, verification, confirmation of information.
“God willing, by consuming mass media consistently, our knowledge and insight will increase,” he said.
Then Khofifah said that collaborative connectivity between the academic community and media is very important to maintain. “The pentahelix system has to be strengthened and reinforced each other,” said Dra. Hj. Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
According to the Governor of East Java, the media is a strategic partner in conveying information about COVID-19, especially in answering hoax issues. “Social media can disseminate massively, but its validity is questionable. Everyone can easily share information,” she said.
Dra. Hj. Khofifah Indar Parawansa hoped that the vaccination process in East Java can be more massive so the herd community can be realized soon. (*)
Author: Dimar Herfano
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
