The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again strengthened its international academic network by sending six students to Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, under the Student Outbound Full Time program. This one-month academic mobility initiative, held from 28 October to 25 November 2025, represents a strategic collaboration between the Fisheries Product Technology Study Program (THP) of FPK UNAIR and the Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, UPM.
This outbound program was designed to reinforce academic and research partnerships between the two institutions, particularly in the fields of fisheries and marine sciences. Through direct engagement in laboratory-based research at an internationally recognized institution, the program aims to enhance students’ scientific competence, research capacity, and global academic exposure. The six selected students—Khalisa Ghina Amalia, Firda Auliyatuz Zahroh, Muhammad Rizky Putra, Alfito Putra Ginarta, Nadia Mulya Purnomo, and Istighfar Rohmah—were chosen based on academic merit and research readiness to represent FPK UNAIR in this international collaboration. Throughout the program, they conducted intensive research activities under the supervision of UPM lecturers and researchers, gaining first-hand experience in advanced laboratory techniques, data analysis, and interdisciplinary scientific discussion. The initiative reflects a shared commitment between UNAIR and UPM to promote cross-border academic exchange, research innovation, and institutional synergy within Southeast Asia’s higher education landscape.
During the program, each student carried out an individual research project aligned with current global issues in fisheries science and marine resource utilization. The research topics covered a wide spectrum of bioresource exploration and functional ingredient development, including the investigation of bioactive compounds from seaweeds such as Gracilaria, Sargassum, and Kappaphycus, as well as the utilization of roselle and microalgae Chlorella as natural antioxidant sources. Additional studies examined free fatty acid activity in Moringa oil and the nutritional potential of Moina as a feed component. Research activities were conducted primarily at the Faculty of Agriculture Laboratory and the Institute of Bioscience UPM, both equipped with advanced analytical instruments and research facilities meeting international standards. The academic environment was highly conducive and collaborative, encouraging scientific dialogue and knowledge exchange between Indonesian and Malaysian researchers. One of the participants, Firda Auliyatuz Zahroh, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity, stating that the program provided invaluable research experience supported by comprehensive laboratory facilities and expert mentorship, significantly contributing to her academic and professional development in fisheries product technology.
The implementation of this Student Outbound Full Time program demonstrates FPK UNAIR’s strong institutional commitment to preparing globally competitive graduates. The faculty provided comprehensive support and mentoring both prior to departure and throughout the program to ensure that academic objectives were achieved effectively. Beyond technical research skills, the students also acted as academic ambassadors, strengthening UNAIR’s international reputation through professionalism, adaptability, and scientific contribution. FPK UNAIR expects that this outbound initiative will continue to expand in scope, both in terms of participant numbers and research themes, thereby creating broader opportunities for students to engage in international collaboration. The research outcomes generated during the program are anticipated to contribute to scientific publications and to support innovation in Indonesia’s fisheries sector, aligning with UNAIR’s mission to advance impactful research and sustainable development in marine and fisheries sciences.
