Unair Inaugurates Five Professors of Science
Universitas Airlangga (Unair) once again inaugurated five professors. This time the five professors come from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST). These professors explained various innovations that come from natural resources.
The five inaugurated professors are Hery Suwito, Muji Harsini, and Sri Sumarsih from the Department of Chemistry. Then Prihartini Widiyanti from the Biomedical Engineering Study Program and Salamun from the Biology Department.
Unair Rector Mohammad Nasih said that this inauguration was a deep reflection on Indonesia’s natural wealth, both potential on land, sea and air.
However, Nasih assessed that this natural wealth has not been optimally utilized. Therefore, these professors are expected to be able to develop more tangibly and have a real impact on society through their research.
Nasih gave an example of Prof. Hery’s research in Balikpapan National Park and the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) which found 18 bioactive compounds from various plants. The compounds are considered to have benefits for antioxidants, anticancer, antidiabetes and prevention of complications, and anti-inflammatory.
“Products from there can later be utilized as a form of Unair’s real contribution,” Nasih explained to the media crew, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
In addition, according to Nasih, various plants, shellfish, and other natural resources also have great potential as raw materials for the medicinal and cosmetic industries, as scientific findings from Prof. Salamun.
“Prof. Salamun highlighted plants that have the potential as environmentally friendly insecticides. Many natural ingredients can be utilized for various purposes if in the hands of scientists,” said Nasih.
Nasih emphasized that the new professors should not stop at research. They must continue to the downstream process in order to reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8 to 9.
It will be Unair’s policy to encourage existing research to be integrated with previous research, especially in fields that have great potential to provide benefits to humans, such as treatment, disease prevention, and environmental preservation.
“Hopefully, Unair can continue to have an impact in the development of science and the environment,” said Nasih.
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