The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga (FPK UNAIR), reaffirmed its commitment to advancing internationalization in higher education through the implementation of AIRVENTURE (Airlangga Adventure) 2026. Organized by Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE) with FPK UNAIR as the main academic facilitator, the program serves as an inbound initiative designed to introduce international students to Indonesia’s academic environment, campus culture, and rich maritime heritage. By embracing an educational adventure concept, AIRVENTURE 2026 integrates academic enrichment with collaborative engagement, fostering meaningful global partnerships in fisheries and marine sciences.
Held on April 29, 2026, the first day of AIRVENTURE 2026 welcomed international students from across Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Brunei, representing a network affiliated with the ASEAN University Network. This diverse participation reflects the expanding global partnerships cultivated by FPK UNAIR while strengthening intercultural academic exchange within the faculty. Several prominent universities joined the program, including the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University from Singapore, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia from Malaysia, De La Salle University from the Philippines, and Can Tho University from Vietnam. The presence of these institutions not only strengthened academic diplomacy but also enhanced knowledge exchange in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture innovation, and marine resource management. Through this collaborative framework, AIRVENTURE 2026 positioned FPK UNAIR as a strategic hub for regional engagement in marine and fisheries studies.
The program was officially inaugurated by the Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga, Endang Dewi Masithah, who extended a warm welcome to all participants, particularly international students. In her opening remarks, she underscored Indonesia’s identity as a maritime nation endowed with extraordinary marine biodiversity. She emphasized that global challenges such as marine pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation require cross-border collaboration and intergenerational responsibility. By promoting academic dialogue and cooperative learning, AIRVENTURE 2026 aims to cultivate a shared understanding of marine ecosystem sustainability while strengthening research-based solutions to contemporary environmental issues. Her speech highlighted the urgency of integrating scientific knowledge, innovation, and international partnerships to safeguard aquatic resources for future generations.
The first academic sessions featured scientific presentations addressing strategic issues in fisheries and marine sciences. Dr. Veryl Hasan delivered a lecture titled “Fish Are All Around Us. Do We Know Enough About Them?”, highlighting the ecological and socio-economic significance of fish beyond their commercial value. He emphasized their critical role in ecosystem balance and global food security, encouraging participants to rethink fisheries management through a sustainability lens. The session continued with Heru Pramono, S.Pi., M.Biotech., Ph.D., who presented “Marine Microbiology: Biosynthetic Gene Cluster for Novel Compounds and Enzyme Discovery,” exploring the vast potential of marine microorganisms as sources of bioactive compounds and innovative enzymes for biotechnology development. After the break, Dita Wisudyawati, S.Pi., M.Sc., introduced the topic “Fish Meal Replacement,” focusing on alternative feed ingredients to improve efficiency and sustainability in aquaculture industries. The final session was delivered by Dr. Eng. Sapto Andriyono, S.Pi., MT, who discussed “Marine Biodiversity,” emphasizing conservation strategies, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable aquatic resource governance. The day concluded with an assignment and self-reflection session, encouraging participants to critically engage with the materials and deepen their academic insights.
Overall, AIRVENTURE 2026 reinforces FPK UNAIR’s strategic role in strengthening global collaboration and empowering young scholars to contribute to sustainable fisheries and marine development. The initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), which promotes marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which emphasizes international cooperation in education, research, and marine innovation. Through AIRVENTURE 2026, FPK UNAIR continues to expand its international visibility while fostering collaborative research, academic excellence, and sustainable maritime stewardship.
