UNAIR NEWS – In collaboration with UNAIR Hospital and UNAIR Alumni Association (IKA UA), UNAIR continued its mass vaccination program on Sunday, July 25, 2021. On the second day, UNAIR Rector, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, SE., MT., Ak., and the Governor of East Java and Chairperson of IKA UA, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, were present to inspect the implementation of the vaccination session.
After seeing the smooth vaccination process by maintaining strict health protocols, Prof. Nasih, in front of the press, explained that the COVID-19 mass vaccination program was a manifestation of the third pillar of Higher Education Tri Dharma, namely community service. Thus, he responded IKA UA’s support and role positively for the success of this vaccination program.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate if this vaccination program is exclusive to UNAIR’s extended family. Therefore, this vaccination program is also open to students from other universities and their families, and the general public as well,” said Prof. Nasih.
Furthermore, Prof. Nasih also emphasized that this program is expected to continue so that herd immunity can be realized soon. If on weekdays, a vaccination program can be carried out for the entire community and the general public at UNAIR Hospital, then at weekends, hopefully in the future, vaccinations can be held at the ACC Campus C building regularly.
“This is how we both make the Indonesian government’s vaccination program a success. Of course, UNAIR will distribute the vaccines again if we have more stock,” said the Faculty of Economics and Business’ professor.
On the same occasion, the Governor of East Java, Khofifah, explained that UNAIR mass vaccination program was the optimization of synergy with pentahelix approach. The five strategic elements must collaborate in realizing herd immunity through the acceleration of COVID-19 vaccination. The five elements are government, media, universities, business people, and communities.
“All of these elements must be well-connected, continue to collaborate in fighting this pandemic with the best service. Therefore, we express our gratitude to the Rector for this partnership, in the context of this vaccination activity as an element of higher education,” said the FISIP UNAIR alumna.
Authors: Nuri Hermawan and Pradnya Wicaksana
