Surabaya, August 9, 2024 – AEGIS (Airlangga’s Extraordinary Green Industry International Summer Summit) 2024 is an initiative led by the 2024 Ambassadors of the Faculty of Science & Technology (FST) at Airlangga University (UNAIR) to promote, introduce, and contribute to the green industry in Indonesia. AEGIS takes place from August 9 to August 13, 2024. Over five days, the program engages 12 international students from five countries in interactions and collaborations with communities, environmental initiatives, and industries. Driven by the spirit of Science with Morality, AEGIS aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 12, ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, and Goal 15, protecting and promoting the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems.
The opening ceremony of AEGIS (9/8) was held at the Shared Lecture Building (GKB), Campus C, Room 3.07. The ceremony commenced with a speech by the Vice Dean III of FST UNAIR for Cooperation & Research Affairs, Prof. Dr. Fatmawati, M.Si., followed by the traditional gong-striking ceremony. The event also featured a Saman dance performance by HIMAKI (the Chemistry Student Association), showcasing Indonesian culture to participants. The opening ceremony was attended by 128 participants, with 65 joining in person and 63 participating online via Zoom.
Saman HIMAKI
The AEGIS program kicked off with an international seminar titled “Pioneering Eco-Innovation: A Comprehensive Guide to Establish and Nurture the Green Industry of the Future,” presented by Pak Andi Abadi, the operational manager of the Apple Developer Academy. This public seminar served as an introduction to the current state of green industry practices in Surabaya and their significance. Pak Andi emphasized the critical role of education in supporting eco-innovation, which fosters collective prosperity in the future. The 60-minute seminar was followed by a Q&A session with international students and public participants. The event concluded with the presentation of a certificate to the speaker and a group photo session.
Following the seminar, AEGIS participants visited Sambiarum Village in West Surabaya. As the winner of the Surabaya Smart City Award 2020, this environmentally conscious community collaborates with the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Zero Waste to promote sustainable waste management and wastewater treatment, an ongoing effort as of today (9/8). The welcome ceremony was held at the village hall (pendopo), attended by the Head of the Community (RW), the Community Leader, and representatives from Zero Waste. Sambiarum Village works with Zero Waste NGO to implement sustainable waste management and water conservation programs. During the visit, participants took part in a workshop on making candles from used cooking oil and producing liquid-based organic fertilizer, guided by Pak Oky, the initiator of the environmental movement in Sambiarum Village. The 12 international participants enthusiastically engaged in hands-on practice while listening to instructions from Pak Oky. The activity concluded with the presentation of a plaque from AEGIS and the exchange of souvenirs from the residents of Sambiarum Village.
The first day of AEGIS 2024 successfully integrated education, collaboration, and real-world practice to strengthen the green industry in Surabaya while also promoting local culture and environmental responsibility to the international community. The slogan “Green Leaders for a Brighter Future” serves as a reminder of AEGIS’s core mission: to cultivate environmentally conscious leaders and advance sustainable practices for a better future.
