The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting women’s participation in science and technology. The faculty demonstrated this commitment by welcoming an educational visit from MA Al-Machfudzoh Sidoarjo on Thursday (January 15, 2026). A total of 43 female students (santriwati) attended the activity held in Room 320 of the FST UNAIR Building to explore future academic and career opportunities.
Inclusive Science Education for Santriwati
This visit held special significance as MA Al-Machfudzoh is a female-only Islamic boarding school-based institution. The presence of the santriwati reaffirmed that science and technology are inclusive fields open to everyone. Their enthusiasm also showed that gender and pesantren educational backgrounds do not limit interest in science and technology.
Motivating Women in Digital Innovation
The welcome address and main presentation were delivered by Barry Nuqoba, S.Si., M.Kom., Ph.D., a lecturer from the Information Systems Study Program at FST UNAIR. During the session, he motivated the santriwati to take active roles in digital innovation. He emphasized that women’s perspectives are essential for developing more comprehensive and inclusive technological solutions.
Introduction to FST UNAIR and Academic Opportunities
Throughout the session, the participants gained a comprehensive overview of FST UNAIR. The presentation covered available study programs, university admission pathways, and strategies for facing competitive selection processes. Information on graduate career prospects and innovative research at FST UNAIR also attracted strong interest from the participants.
Interactive Discussion and Students’ Enthusiasm
The discussion session ran dynamically and interactively. The santriwati actively asked questions about campus life at a public university and how to integrate religious knowledge with modern technological developments. This enthusiasm reflected their strong determination to pursue higher education.
Strengthening Collaboration and Educational Motivation
Through this activity, FST UNAIR hopes to maintain and strengthen collaboration with MA Al-Machfudzoh Sidoarjo. The educational visit is also expected to boost the confidence of the santriwati in pursuing careers in science and technology. The activity reaffirmed that being a woman and coming from a pesantren background are not barriers to becoming future scientists or technology experts.
The Best Science With Morality
This activity supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 5: Gender Equality, by expanding access to higher education and strengthening women’s roles in science and technology.
