After successfully running for the second time last year, this year, the collaboration program between Federation University, Australia, and Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia, named FED-AIR, is once again held. FED-AIR provides a platform for inter-university students to share knowledge, culture, and experience, which aims to strengthen international relations, enhance intercultural understanding, and promote innovative scientific collaboration.

On January 10, 2025, the FED-AIR Program 2025 opened with a traditional Indonesian dance named Tari Pelangi, which Sanggar Tari Pandu Siwi performed. This dance is created from a combination of traditional North Maluku dances, namely soya-soya dance and cakalele dance. This dance illustrates the wealth and potential of North Maluku, both in terms of natural resources, art, and culture. Through cultural exposure, the students of Federation University can learn more about Indonesia’s culture. Moreover, the origins of the dance from Eastern Indonesia can give Australian students different cultural insights into various parts of Indonesia, which are rich in cultural heritage.

In addition to the dance performance, the opening ceremony of FED-AIR 2025 also introduced students to the Airlangga Health Promoting Center (AHPC) presented by Dr. Sri Widati, S.Sos., M. Kes. AHPC is a body at Universitas Airlangga that focuses on improving the level of health in the community inside, outside, and around Universitas Airlangga through lectures, research, and community service.

The event continued with research groups and journal promotion by Dr. Muji Sulistyowati, S.KM., M.Kes., who provided an in-depth explanation of the significance of academic publishing in advancing health sciences. Alongside her, the Indonesian Journal of Health Administration Editorial Team shared valuable insights into the publication process, emphasizing the importance of rigorous research and peer-reviewed contributions in shaping public health policies. This session allowed participants to explore collaborative opportunities, exchange ideas on ongoing research, and understand how international cooperation could enhance the visibility and impact of scholarly work.

Following the presentation from the journal team, Prof. Dr. Aziz Rahman led an engaging discussion with Federation University students and UNAIR BBK International Students, fostering an interactive dialogue on global health issues and research methodologies. The discussion served as a platform for students to share their perspectives, ask thought-provoking questions, and gain deeper insights into the complexities of health administration from an international lens. The event was finally concluded with a warm and memorable dinner with the Australian General Consulate in Surabaya at Botannika Restaurant, providing a relaxed setting for participants to reflect on the day’s learnings, strengthen cross-cultural friendships, and celebrate the spirit of collaboration that defines the FED-AIR program.

The opening of FED-AIR 2025 marked the beginning of a collaborative academic journey and reinforced the program’s commitment to sustainable development. The event embodied SDG 4 (Quality Education) through cultural performances and academic discussions by fostering knowledge exchange and research collaboration between students and experts. With these values at its core, FED-AIR 2025 is a meaningful platform for intercultural learning and global collaboration, paving the way for innovative solutions to shared challenges.