UNAIR NEWS 鈥 Prastika Krisma Jiwanti, S.Si., M.Sc. Eng., Ph.D., a lecturer in the Nanotechnology Engineering Program at Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidisciplinary Studies (FTMM), 东京热 (UNAIR), was awarded the Professional PAED Travel Award at the 249th Electrochemical Society (ECS) Meeting 2026. The international conference was held from May 24鈥28, 2026, in Seattle, Washington, United States.
Building global connections in Nanoelectrochemistry
The ECS Meeting is among the world鈥檚 largest professional forums for experts in electrochemistry. According to Jiwanti, the event provided a valuable opportunity to engage with leading scientists in the field and strengthen connections with researchers worldwide, particularly those involved in developing nanomaterials for electrochemical applications in the United States. 鈥淭he event allowed me to connect with leading electrochemists and expand my professional network with researchers from around the world, particularly those working on nanomaterials for electrochemical applications in the United States, where scientific advancements in this field are progressing remarkably,鈥 Jiwanti said.
Beyond networking, the conference allowed her to gain insight into the latest scientific developments and emerging research trends. Representing UNAIR at an international forum also helped increase the university鈥檚 global visibility while fostering relationships that could support future academic and research collaborations. The connections established through the event may contribute to UNAIR鈥檚 Academic Peer List (APL), strengthening opportunities for institutional engagement in the years ahead.
Jiwanti said the experience broadened her knowledge, particularly in electrochemistry and sensor technology. 鈥淚 can apply these insights to develop new research ideas while introducing our work to a wider international audience,鈥 she said.
She also took advantage of the event to discuss potential partnerships with professors and researchers from the United States as well as Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, and other countries. She hopes those discussions will lead to academic collaborations, including guest lectures, joint research initiatives, and other scholarly activities.
Pursuing international opportunities
Jiwanti observed notable differences between research and innovation ecosystems in the United States and Indonesia. She pointed to the U.S. research environment鈥檚 strong emphasis on staying current with scientific advances, maintaining close industry partnerships, and recognizing patents as important scholarly achievements that can accelerate commercialization. Conference participants were highly engaged, actively exchanging ideas, discussing research findings, and exploring new collaborative opportunities.
She also encouraged fellow researchers to actively seek pathways to international engagement. 鈥淩esearchers should take the initiative to search for opportunities and consider joining reputable international societies, organizations, or consortiums in their respective fields. These networks often provide access to valuable information about global programs and opportunities,鈥 she said. Looking ahead, she plans to invite newly connected APL partners to serve as guest speakers and explore joint research projects with UNAIR.
Author: Fauziah Kandela
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
