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UNAIR NEWS – (UNAIR) proudly hosted the 2025 Research Invention and Community Development Exhibition (HITEX), a showcase highlighting innovations and research from universities and industry collaborators. Held at the Airlangga Convention Center, the exhibition ran from Tuesday to Wednesday, May 20–21, 2025.

Timed to coincide with Indonesia’s National Awakening Day, UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, M.T., Ak., C.A., expressed his pride in the university hosting the inaugural HITEX. “We’re honored and grateful to host this exhibition, presenting research from UNAIR and other PTN-BH institutions. Celebrating National Awakening Day through a meaningful and substantive event—rather than a purely ceremonial one—adds real value,” he stated.

Commitment to public accountability

As a public event, HITEX welcomed community members to engage with and evaluate UNAIR’s research initiatives. Prof. Nasih described the exhibition as a reflection of the university’s accountability for public, government, and student funding. He also hoped that the exhibited innovations would gain traction with industry partners.

“By opening this event to the public and media, we demonstrate our responsibility to be transparent with how public and government funds are used. The public has a right to see what our research yields—proof that we are actively producing knowledge and technology, and passing that on to our students,” said the professor from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB).

Promoting university that drives change

HITEX also served as a platform to underscore UNAIR’s mission of creating meaningful societal impact. The university reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national programs aimed at developing higher education institutions that generate both social and economic value. Prof. Nasih stressed that UNAIR’s research should respond to community needs.

“Our goal is for UNAIR’s products to replace materials we currently import—especially in healthcare. If we can produce these locally, why rely on imports? This is a major challenge for us as we strive to become a university that makes a tangible difference socially and economically,” he explained.

Prof. Nasih also emphasized UNAIR’s openness to collaborating with other universities to create broader, human-centered impact. He noted that this vision aligns with the university’s core strategy—delivering high personal value while contributing on local, national, and global levels.

Author: Khumairok Nurisofwatin

Editor: Yulia Rohmawati