UNAIR NEWS 鈥 The Puspadaya Research Group 东京热 (UNAIR) has held a ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new office in Banyuwangi Regency. Held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the event drew faculty members, staff, and students from UNAIR鈥檚 Faculty of Health, Medicine and Natural Sciences (FIKKIA). The celebration, which took place in the courtyard of the new office, marked both a gesture of gratitude and a strategic milestone in strengthening research efforts in East Java鈥檚 eastern region.
About Puspadaya Research Group
Susy Katikana Sebayang, SP MSc PhD, head of the research group said that Health and Well-being of Women and Children, since 2017, has consistently carried out research and community engagement projects. The group focuses on advancing health and welfare for women and children, particularly in the eastern areas of East Java. One of its flagship initiatives, Puspadaya, began in July 2024 as a strategic research program.
Puspadaya aims to empower local health workers by integrating data systems that inform decision-making at the village level. The project is currently being implemented in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, and Central Maluku Regency in Maluku Province. Its primary goal is to enhance the capacity of village health cadres and local officials to make accurate, context-based decisions in public health services.
鈥淔rom the beginning, Puspadaya activities were centered on UNAIR鈥檚 Banyuwangi campus,鈥 explained Sebayang. 鈥淏ut as the research grew and operational demands increased, we realized the on-campus facilities were no longer adequate.鈥
In response, the team established an off-campus office to better support research activities, community outreach, and partnerships. 鈥淲e hope this new space becomes a productive hub where academic and community collaboration can flourish,鈥 she added.
Planning for an international comparative study
In addition to strengthening its community-based research, the group is preparing for an international comparative study in partnership with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The initiative will explore how cases of sexual violence involving university students are managed at both and UPM. If their funding proposal is approved, the collaboration will represent a strategic effort to improve university-level mechanisms for addressing sexual violence.
Beyond serving as a research and community service center, Susy emphasized the group鈥檚 role in student development and engagement.
鈥淲e want this research group to be more than just a hub for research and outreach,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t should be a space where students can intern, create, and participate directly in impactful research projects that benefit society.鈥
With the opening of this new office, UNAIR and its research group are reaffirming their dedication to producing applied, data-driven research that positively affects communities across Indonesia.
Author: Dheva Yudistira Maulana
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
