Official Visit of the UNESA Delegation to Information Science Division

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, a distinguished delegation of eight members from Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), Indonesia, conducted an official visit to the Information Science Division at NAIST. The delegation included the Secretary of the Board of Trustees and the Deans representing various faculties. UNESA stands as one of the largest and most influential educational institutions in Indonesia, overseeing a massive academic community of approximately 73,000 students and 12 faculties across more than five campuses nationwide. This visit serves as a testament to the growing international collaboration between Japanese and Indonesian research institutions and highlights the strategic importance of our shared academic goals.

The primary objective of this visit was to strengthen academic exchange between the two institutions through concrete collaborative frameworks. Strategic discussions focused on concluding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the upcoming fiscal year, implementing double-degree programs, and establishing a sustainable pipeline for doctoral scholars. UNESA has demonstrated a profound interest in building a robust academic partnership with NAIST, recognizing that such a collaboration will yield substantial benefits for both parties through future affiliate programs and shared research resources. This institutional enthusiasm has been built over several months of high-level engagement, including significant visits from both the presidential and dean levels of their university.

List of Official Participants

Affiliation / Position	Name
Director of Information Science Division / Professor	Prof. Shoji Kasahara, Ph.D.
Deputy Director of Information Science Division / Professor	Prof. Yasuhiro Mukaigawa, Ph.D.
J-PEAKS Ambassador of Information Science Division / Assistant Professor	Dr. Christopher Wiraatmaja, Ph.D.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees / Professor	Prof. Dr. Budi Jatmiko, M.Pd.
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering / Professor	Prof. Dr. Suparji, S.Pd., M.Pd.
Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science / Professor	Prof. Dr. Wasis, M.Si.
Dean of the Faculty of Sports Science / Doctor	Dr. Irmantara Subagio, M.Kes.
Dean of the Faculty of Vocational Program / Doctor	Dr. Suprapto, S.Pd., M.T.
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Politics / Professor	Prof. Dr. Wiwik Sri Utami, M.P.
Director of Magetan Campus / Professor	Prof. Dr. Sarmini, M.Hum.
Deputy Director of International Affairs	Mr. Asrori, S.S., M.Pd.

Visit Overview and Strategic Discussions

The morning session featured a comprehensive overview of NAIST and its potential future affiliate programs, presented by Director Kasahara. During the plenary discussion, both institutions clarified their respective demands for the upcoming MoU, focusing on how to best integrate UNESA's large-scale student base with NAIST's specialized, high-tech research environment. The delegation expressed a clear intent to leverage NAIST's expertise to enhance their own technical curricula and research capabilities. After a productive working lunch, which featured Halal-certified catering to welcome our guests, the delegation moved to the L3 Conference Room for a focused engagement session with the Indonesian student community at NAIST.

Engagement with the Indonesian Student Community

A vital component of the visit was the session between the delegation and Indonesian students currently pursuing their research at NAIST. The students displayed remarkable enthusiasm during this community session, posing insightful questions regarding future programs and the collaborative opportunities that will arise from the strengthening ties between the two universities. The UNESA representatives were particularly interested in the significant number of Indonesian scholars currently thriving at NAIST, including several faculty members who have already established successful academic careers within the NAIST environment. These grassroots interactions and the existing network of Indonesian researchers serve as a crucial foundation for the sustainability and long-term growth of our educational partnerships.

Through this visit, both parties expressed a strong commitment to establishing a framework for sending talented students to doctoral programs and building joint research projects. By leveraging UNESA's massive student base and NAIST's cutting-edge facilities, both institutions aim to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem for innovation and academic excellence. NAIST and UNESA aim to officially sign the Memorandum of Understanding within the next fiscal year to further enhance international cooperation in the field of Information Science and beyond.