SURABAYA, February 24, 2026 – The international collaboration of FST UNAIR continues to expand through strategic global engagement. The Faculty of Science and Technology of Universitas Airlangga (FST UNAIR) initiated discussions for an academic partnership with École Centrale de Lille, France. This initiative reinforces FST UNAIR’s position in global research and innovation networks.
The meeting took place at the FST UNAIR Senate Room in a productive atmosphere. The French delegation was led by Cyrielle Rohart, Head of International and Academic Relations. In addition, Gabriela Bakara from Campus France IFI Surabaya attended the session. The leadership of FST UNAIR welcomed the delegation through an open and constructive dialogue. As a result, the discussion quickly moved toward concrete implementation plans.
Prof. Fatmawati led the strategic cross-disciplinary discussion. Meanwhile, Dr. Nur Indradewi Oktavitri presented the academic achievements of the Environmental Engineering Program. Representatives from Airlangga Global Engagement ensured alignment with the university’s internationalization agenda. Therefore, the collaboration between FST UNAIR and École Centrale de Lille is designed for long-term sustainability.
Strengthening Environmental Engineering and International Student Mobility
The international collaboration of FST UNAIR prioritizes the advancement of Environmental Engineering. Dr. Nur Indradewi highlighted the program’s research-driven curriculum and global industry relevance. She also outlined international publications and research partnerships achieved by faculty members. Moreover, she emphasized the potential for developing collaborative laboratory initiatives. École Centrale de Lille expressed strong appreciation for the academic standards demonstrated by FST UNAIR. They recognized the alignment between both institutions in addressing global environmental challenges.
Subsequently, both institutions explored international student mobility programs. They discussed short-term exchanges and one-semester programs under the Bienvenue en France framework. On the other hand, FST UNAIR invited Lille’s master’s students to participate in AMERTA Regular and AMERTA Research programs. Thus, mobility opportunities are structured to benefit both institutions.
Beyond student exchange, the international collaboration of FST UNAIR also includes a visiting professor scheme. Faculty members may engage in joint teaching and collaborative research in France. Conversely, academics from Lille may share expertise in Surabaya. Furthermore, both institutions encouraged thematic joint research focusing on global environmental issues. Consequently, the partnership aims to deliver measurable academic impact.
The meeting also addressed funding opportunities under Erasmus+ for the 2027 cycle. In particular, the discussion covered KA171 and Capacity Building in Higher Education schemes. FST UNAIR has demonstrated a strong track record in securing international grants. Therefore, a joint proposal is considered highly competitive.
Implementation Strategy and Formal Agreement Pathway
At the initial stage, both institutions mapped priority programs for immediate action. Prof. Fatmawati emphasized the importance of continuous technical communication. In addition, both teams will identify the most feasible pilot project. Through this approach, the international collaboration of FST UNAIR moves toward tangible outcomes.
Regarding legal arrangements, both parties considered cooperation at either university or faculty level. The final structure will follow the requirements of the first implemented project. Meanwhile, the Airlangga Post Doctoral Fellowship program offers opportunities for staff capacity enhancement. Similarly, the International Grants Project provides a framework for advanced collaborative research.
To conclude the visit, FST UNAIR presented the Universitas Airlangga Institutional Profile 2026 to the French delegation. The presentation of flagship programs clarified the long-term collaboration roadmap. Moving forward, the partnership between FST UNAIR and École Centrale de Lille is expected to strengthen academic relations between Indonesia and France. In addition to supporting SDG 4, this initiative also contributes to SDG 17.
The Best Science With Morality
Through this strategic initiative, FST UNAIR reaffirms its global commitment consistently. The faculty continues to promote excellent science grounded in morality and sustainable partnerships.
UNAIR #ErasmusPlus #QualityEducationSDG4 #PartnershipsForTheGoalsSDG17