Surabaya – The Ministry of Strategic Studies and Action (KASTRAT) of the Student Executive Board (BEM), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), successfully held the second series of its Training of KASTRAT program on Friday (June 19, 2026). Carrying the theme “Government and the State,” the event was designed to strengthen students’ ability to critically analyze strategic national issues through structured, evidence-based debate.
As a continuation of the previous Training of KASTRAT session, which focused on organizational analysis, this series shifted attention to public policy, governance, and Indonesia’s role in addressing contemporary national and global challenges. Through this forum, participants were encouraged to develop analytical thinking while examining public policies from multiple perspectives supported by factual evidence and academic reasoning.
The program began with an opening session led by the master of ceremonies, followed by the singing of the Indonesian national anthem, Indonesia Raya, and the Universitas Airlangga Hymn. Opening remarks were delivered by the President of the BEM FPK UNAIR, the Minister of KASTRAT, and the event’s person in charge (PIC), who officially inaugurated the activity. In their remarks, the organizing committee emphasized the important role of university students as agents of change and social control, encouraging participants to evaluate national issues objectively, critically, and responsibly.
The organizing committee explained that Training of KASTRAT was established as a learning platform that encourages students not only to stay informed about current national developments but also to examine them through comprehensive analysis. “Through this forum, we aim to cultivate a healthy discussion culture that is grounded in data and open to diverse perspectives. Students are expected to present critical arguments while respecting differences of opinion,” the committee representative stated.
During the main session, participants were divided into pro and contra teams to debate four motions related to government policies, public administration, Indonesia’s diplomatic role, and the country’s economic conditions. Each team was required to support its arguments with reliable data, facts, and scholarly references. The debates encouraged participants to evaluate policy effectiveness, implementation challenges, Indonesia’s international engagement, and factors influencing national economic development. The discussions were dynamic and constructive, allowing students to exchange perspectives while strengthening their abilities in critical thinking, public speaking, and evidence-based argumentation.
One participant shared that the debate format provided valuable experience in understanding national issues from multiple viewpoints. “This activity taught us to examine public policies more comprehensively. We learned not only to understand the information available but also to analyze supporting data, consider different perspectives, and present arguments that can be justified academically,” the participant remarked.
Through the implementation of Training of KASTRAT, the Ministry of KASTRAT of BEM FPK UNAIR hopes to foster a culture of critical, constructive, and research-based discussion among students. The program is expected to strengthen students’ intellectual capacity while increasing their awareness of strategic issues at both the national and global levels. The initiative also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting critical thinking and public policy literacy, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by encouraging dialogue, civic participation, and awareness of transparent, accountable, and inclusive institutions. The event concluded with a group photo session to commemorate the participants’ active involvement in the second series of Training of KASTRAT.
Author: Mohammad Fahri Zulmi
Editor: FBM
