Global Contribution of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga: Chemistry Lecturer Involved in Strategic Netherlands–Indonesia Research Supporting IKN Development
Rico Ramadhan, Ph.D., a lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universitas Airlangga, who is also the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Junior Lecturer 2025 Award in the Field of Science and Technology, had the opportunity to participate in a series of activities organized by the Indonesia–Netherlands Universities Consortium (InuCost), held at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the Netherlands.
The InuCost program is a strategic inter-university collaboration project within a consortium of universities from Indonesia and the Netherlands, supported by the governments of both countries. This program focuses on comprehensive research aimed at supporting the development of the Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) by exploring strategic themes such as smart city development, climate change, and biodiversity conservation.
In this program, Rico Ramadhan, Ph.D. served as a member of the research team in a project on the utilization of mangrove plants in the IKN area. This research specifically emphasizes bioprospective studies of mangroves as non-timber forest products with potential as sources of medicinal materials, using an integrated approach that combines utilization, conservation, and ecosystem sustainability.
“This activity enables the establishment of mutually reinforcing cross-disciplinary collaborations, particularly within the framework of mangrove bioprospecting, conservation, and mangrove forest spatial planning to support the sustainable development of IKN,” he explained.
Furthermore, the outcomes and benefits of the InuCost activities are considered significant, both academically and institutionally. The international research collaboration strengthens the contribution of Universitas Airlangga to the national development agenda. In particular, this involvement highlights the role of Universitas Airlangga, especially the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, and the Department of Chemistry, Universitas Airlangga, in supporting science- and technology-based sustainable development of IKN.
Participation of Universitas Airlangga in the InuCost program also provides national- and international-scale research experience, particularly in the development of mangrove bioprospecting relevant to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This participation also opens opportunities for student learning and engagement in the future.
Regarding program sustainability, opportunities for further collaboration with partners in the Netherlands are considered highly promising, including collaborative research, joint publications, and the development of new research ideas in the field of biodiversity bioprospecting.
Through his participation in this program, Rico Ramadhan, Ph.D. hopes that sustainable cooperation can be established between the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, and TU Delft, not only in the field of research but also education. He also expects optimal support from FST Universitas Airlangga to expand similar international collaborations in the future.
