(FEB NEWS) Surabaya, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 — As part of Universitas Airlangga commitment to supporting internationalization programs and enhancing its global reputation, Dr. Tuwanku Aria Auliandri, SE., M.Sc., a lecturer from the Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Airlangga, participated in the 23rd International Week: “Competences in Higher Education” held at Klaipėdos Valstybinė Kolegija, Lithuania, from September 27 to October 5, 2025.
This activity is an international event attended by lecturers and researchers from various universities in Europe, Asia, and other countries, with the main focus on strengthening pedagogical competence, cross-country research collaboration, and digital-based and intercultural learning innovation. The participation of UNAIR lecturers in this activity is part of the staff outbound program strategy which has become a priority for the university in realizing the vision of "Excellence with Morality" on the global stage. What is special, Dr. Aria received an official invitation from the Erasmus+ European Union Programme to participate in this activity as part of the Erasmus academic network in Europe. The invitation is a form of recognition of his academic work and contributions in the field of higher education management and the development of global competence.
Active Role in International Academic Forums
On that occasion, Dr. Aria received a special invitation as a guest lecturer from Mr. Mantas Saltykovas, Head of the Business Administration Department, Klaipėdos State College. He delivered a lecture on three important topics: Management of SMEs, Management Information Systems, and Management Operations. This guest lecture received a positive response from local students and academics, as it discussed business management practices relevant to the global context and the development of digitalization of small and medium industries (SMEs).
In addition to being a guest lecturer, Dr. Aria also actively participated in various international seminars and workshops that were part of the official event agenda, including Digital & Technological Competences, Intercultural Communication Skills, and Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education. Through these activities, participants gained new insights into the transformation of higher education in the digital era and the importance of cross-cultural communication in teaching.
Strengthening International Research Networks and Collaborations
During the event, participants also participated in networking and speed dating academic sessions that brought together lecturers from various universities in Europe. Through these sessions, Dr. Aria successfully established contacts with several academics from countries such as Germany, Poland, and Finland to discuss potential collaborations in the fields of research, co-teaching, and global-based curriculum development. The International Week also included a conference day titled “Studies–Business–Society: Present and Future Insights X,” where participants discussed the relationship between education and industry, as well as how educational institutions can address the challenges of global competence.
In addition to academic activities, participants also participated in a cultural immersion program, including an exploration of the historic district of Klaipėda's old town and a visit to the Curonian Spit—known as the Baltic Sahara. These activities aimed to introduce Lithuanian culture and social systems while fostering cross-cultural sensitivity.
Impact and Follow-up for Universitas Airlangga
The participation of FEB UNAIR lecturers in this activity has several strategic impacts on the development of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. From an educational perspective, the learning outcomes from the workshop and international seminar will be adapted into teaching in the Department of Management, particularly in courses related to digital transformation, management information systems, and global entrepreneurship.
From a research perspective, this activity opens up opportunities for joint research and publications with European academics, as well as expanding networks for potential long-term academic collaborations through the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Furthermore, Dr. Aria plans to hold sharing sessions and knowledge dissemination within the faculty as a form of knowledge transfer, so that the benefits of this international activity can be widely felt by the academic community.
Contribution to UNAIR's Internationalization
This staff outbound activity is a concrete manifestation of the implementation of Universitas Airlangga Strategic Plan (Renstra) within the pillars of Globalization, Sustainability, and International Academic Collaboration. Through the active participation of lecturers in international academic forums, UNAIR continues to strive to expand global exposure, strengthen international rankings such as the QS World University Rankings, and support the university's goal of becoming a World-Class University.
The active involvement of FEB UNAIR in this activity also serves as concrete evidence of the faculty's contribution in supporting the university's policy direction to produce graduates, research, and community service that are globally oriented, inclusive, and sustainable.
Author: Nurul Khaira