Banyuwangi, May 23, 2025 — In a strategic move to strengthen academic networks and community engagement, Dr. Eng. Sapto Andriyono, S.Pi., MT., visited the Conservation Section V Banyuwangi office under the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), marking the beginning of potential collaboration between higher education institutions and government conservation units.
Dr. Sapto, a faculty member and conservation advocate at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Airlangga, aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and procedures for implementing the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi—education, research, and community service—aligned with BBKSDA East Java’s conservation programs. The visit emphasized exploring practical opportunities for students and researchers to actively participate in field-based conservation initiatives while contributing to the preservation of biodiversity in Banyuwangi’s rich coastal and terrestrial ecosystems.
The meeting, characterized by a spirit of collaboration, welcomed academic initiatives to partner with government agencies in managing conservation areas and promoting biodiversity preservation. Representatives from the Conservation Section V highlighted the value of academic expertise in enhancing scientific approaches to conservation efforts. Dr. Sapto noted that the partnership could expand beyond academic research to include educational activities for local communities and schools, as well as continuous training programs that support conservation grounded in both scientific and social perspectives.
This prospective collaboration aligns with the mission of Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi, where educational and research outcomes are expected to provide tangible benefits to society and support sustainable natural resource management through interdisciplinary approaches. By engaging students and researchers in applied conservation projects, the initiative seeks to foster practical skills, environmental awareness, and a culture of responsibility towards nature among the younger generation.
Both Universitas Airlangga and BBKSDA East Java view this initial engagement as a positive signal for long-term partnership. Plans are underway to formalize the collaboration through a memorandum of understanding or joint agreement, ensuring the sustainability of conservation programs while strengthening human resource capacity in environmental and forestry management. The initiative is expected to set a precedent for effective academia-government collaboration, combining research, education, and community service for a lasting environmental impact in the Banyuwangi region.
