UNAIR NEWS – Alumni are essential in building up an institutional international network. To make it happen, the Faculty of Dental Medicine Universitas Airlangga (FKG UNAIR) held a Meet and Greet session with UNAIR alumni in Malaysia on Thursday, January 6, 2022.
The session was held online and attended by at least 21 FKG alumni from Malaysia to strengthen the ties. In his speech, Dean of FKG Dr. Agung Sosiawan, drg., M.Kes. MH conveyed his respect and pride to Malaysian alumni. “This event is meant to strengthen ties between countries,” he said at the same time opening the event.
The TNI First Admiral (Ret.) Dr. RA Nora Lelyana, drg., MHKes., FICD as Chair of the FKG Alumni Association, said that meet and greet session is a catalyst to build emotional and solid relationships. Alumni are also expected to contribute to the alma mater advancement.
“We believe that the graduates of FKG UNAIR are very capable and of high quality. IKA FKG UNAIR has a motto of ‘militancy’ from the alumni. Hopefully, all alumni, wherever you are, will unite together contributing to the nation and the alma mater,” said Dr. Nora.
The meet and greet session was followed by a presentation of the Faculty Planning and Development Unit by Dini Setyowati, drg., M.PH., Ph.D. , which explains the achievements and plans for the future development of FKG UNAIR. Furthermore, there was also a presentation about the master’s program from Dr. Taufan Bramantoro, drg., M.Kes. and doctoral program from Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Narmada, drg., Sp.Ort(K) to introduce the latest achievements of the faculty.
Prof. Dr. Elly Munadziroh, drg., MS, as UNAIR Director for Career Development, Incubation, Entrepreneurship and Alumni Affairs also delivered a presentation about the role of alumni to improve UNAIR’s ranking in QS WUR. The alumni from Malaysia responded well to all the insights given by the speakers.
drg. Soraya, for example, appreciated FKG’s efforts to strengthen ties with alumni in neighboring countries. The online event was then continued with discussion and hospitality session with each Malaysian alumni.
The Meet and Greet session is one of FKG UNAIR’s efforts to improve the international connectivity of its alumni. It is also the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially the fourth pillar: Quality Education. With alumni playing their roles, FKG UNAIR has the potential to build collaborations, joint research, guest lectures, and seminars with international academics. (*)
Author: Intang Arifia
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
