You walk into the Plenary Room of UNAIR’s MERR-C Campus Management Office on this pivotal Tuesday morning, witnessing history in the making. Two institutional leaders sit across from each other, poised to sign an agreement that could transform an entire city’s future. The air buzzes with anticipation as pen meets paper, officially cementing a partnership designed to bridge the gap between academic excellence and real-world community impact.
# UNAIR and Bontang City Government Collaborate to Create Real Impact for Communities
## Catalyst
In an effort to enhance the role of higher education in regional development, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has officially partnered with the Bontang City Government. This collaboration aims to generate concrete benefits for the community. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) at the Plenary Room of UNAIR’s MERR-C Campus Management Office, covers cooperation in education, research, and community engagement.
The meeting was attended by UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, SE, M.Si., M.Fin., along with senior university officials. Representing the Bontang City Government were Mayor Dr. Hajah Neni Moerniaeni, Sp.OG., and members of her administration.
## Rising Action
Prof. Madyan expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in UNAIR by the Bontang City Government. He emphasized that the MoU marks a crucial step in delivering real, measurable impact to communities through strategic collaboration.
“Thank you for the trust extended to Universitas Airlangga. I hope this agreement becomes a reflection of our shared commitment to advancing the nation through strong collaboration,” said the senior professor from UNAIR’s Faculty of Economics and Business.
He underlined that the partnership offers an opportunity to apply UNAIR’s research and innovation in addressing Bontang’s real-world challenges. UNAIR currently has around 2,000 faculty members, with 50% holding doctoral degrees and nearly 20% recognized as full professors.
“The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology encourages universities to create meaningful societal impact. We are prepared to support Bontang with UNAIR’s academic expertise and resources—not just in education, but also in research and public service,” he added.
## Turning Point
Meanwhile, Mayor Neni Moerniaeni outlined several of the city’s pressing development challenges that sparked this crucial partnership. With a total area of just 162 square kilometers and a population of 191,000, expanding the city’s infrastructure is complicated, especially since much of the land is owned by major industrial players such as PKT (Pupuk Kalimantan Timur) and LNG (Liquified Natural Gas).
It all came down to navigating complex land ownership issues while building sustainable communities.
“There’s a 40-hectare plot owned by the PT BADAK Foundation that may be transferred to the city government. However, we need legal guidance from both the Attorney General’s Office and a university to ensure we proceed appropriately,” she explained.
## Resolution
She hopes the partnership with UNAIR will support the city in developing green public spaces, community infrastructure, and educational and social programs for residents. “We hope this meeting brings blessings and real benefits for the people of Bontang, and that we gain valuable insights from Universitas Airlangga,” she concluded.
The MoU signing between UNAIR’s Rector and the Mayor of Bontang concluded the meeting, with both parties optimistic that the collaboration will make a meaningful contribution to national development, particularly in Bontang.
This groundbreaking partnership demonstrates how higher education institutions can drive regional transformation by leveraging academic expertise to solve pressing urban challenges. As Indonesia continues to prioritize sustainable development and community engagement, collaborations like this one between UNAIR and Bontang may well become the blueprint for how universities can create lasting societal impact across the archipelago.
