Surabaya – The Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB) series at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), continued through the Natamandara 2026 study program orientation. On Friday (August 7, 2026), the Aquaculture Student Association organized AquaTalk, a talk show featuring Fitroh Ghoniyyu Yahya, who encouraged new students to explore various opportunities for personal and professional development throughout their university journey.
AquaTalk Inspires Personal Development
AquaTalk featured Fitroh Ghoniyyu Yahya, an Aquaculture undergraduate student specializing in Marine Science and Technology from the 2023 cohort. In addition to being a student and recipient of the Djarum Scholarship, Fitroh previously served as President of the Aquaculture Student Association (HIMAKUA) and has developed an entrepreneurial venture, Zaruna Flower and Gift.
During the session, Fitroh shared his experiences in making the most of opportunities beyond academic activities. New students were introduced to various avenues for personal and professional development, including competitions, scholarships, student exchange programs, student organizations, internships, research, entrepreneurship, and community service activities.
According to Fitroh, university life provides an opportunity not only to pursue academic knowledge but also to accumulate valuable experiences and develop skills that are not always acquired through classroom learning. Participating in various activities can help students expand their networks, strengthen their competencies, and build a portfolio that can support their future academic and professional pursuits.
Dare to Try and Seize Opportunities
Fitroh encouraged new students not to limit their university experience to routine academic activities, but to actively explore and take advantage of the opportunities available to them. He conveyed this message through the principle “Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat,” which means that fortune favors the bold.
“Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat—fortune favors the bold. So, throughout your university journey, do not be afraid to try new things and seize opportunities. It is through the courage to try that we gain experience, meet new people, and discover many things that we may never encounter within the classroom alone,” said Fitroh.
He also encouraged new students to begin building their experiences from the early stages of university through student organizations, entrepreneurship, scholarship programs, and other activities. According to him, consistently engaging in such activities can help students gradually develop their skills while building a strong personal and professional portfolio.
At the end of AquaTalk, Fitroh shared several steps he would take if he could return to his first year as a university student. These included expanding his circle of friends, developing closer relationships with lecturers, applying for scholarships, finding mentors, joining student organizations, and starting to build a portfolio from the beginning of his university journey.
Building Experience to Support Quality Education
Through AquaTalk Natamandara 2026, new students of the Aquaculture Study Program are expected to view university life as a broader space for growth and learning. Opportunities to gain experience through student organizations, research, internships, entrepreneurship, and other personal development activities are an integral part of the educational process, extending learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.
This spirit is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive and quality education as well as opportunities for lifelong learning. By combining academic and non-academic experiences, students are expected to develop knowledge, skills, and personal capacities that will prepare them to face future challenges.
AquaTalk therefore served not only as a platform for sharing experiences, but also as a reminder for new students that higher education is a journey that can be shaped by the courage to explore, seize opportunities, and continuously grow. Through active participation in various academic and extracurricular activities, students can gradually develop the competencies and experiences needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities and future professional fields.
Writer: Alejandro Ahmad Zuhayr
Editor: TPA
