Surabaya, April 25, 2026 — The Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Airlangga (BEM FPK UNAIR), reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening students’ intellectual capacity by organizing a political literacy talkshow titled “Bro&Sis.” The event brought together all members of BEM FPK, the Minister of Social and Political Affairs of BEM UNAIR, ministers of KASTRAT across Universitas Airlangga, and two distinguished speakers from different academic backgrounds: Dinar Karunia, S.H., M.H., a law lecturer, and Mochammad Satria Abdi Hasani, a research student from the Department of Political Science. Through this forum, BEM FPK aimed to encourage science students, particularly those in fisheries and marine sciences, to develop a more critical perspective on public policy issues affecting their field.
The program was officially opened by the master of ceremonies, followed by welcoming remarks from the President of BEM FPK, Dimas Ananda Prasetyo, and the organizing committee. In their addresses, they emphasized the importance of fostering political awareness among university students, especially those pursuing scientific disciplines. As agents of change, students are not only expected to excel academically but also to understand the socio-political dynamics that shape public policy and influence the fisheries and marine sector. The organizers highlighted that policies concerning marine resource management, fisheries regulation, and environmental sustainability are inseparable from political processes. Therefore, building political literacy among students is a strategic step toward producing graduates who are both academically competent and socially responsive.
The main session featured a presentation by Dinar Karunia, S.H., M.H., who delivered a lecture entitled “Crisis of Political Sensitivity: Apathy or Loss of Direction?” In her presentation, she explained how public policies in fisheries and marine affairs are deeply intertwined with political mechanisms, from legislative drafting and regulatory formulation to resource governance and policy implementation in the field. She elaborated on how political actors, institutional frameworks, and legislative procedures directly impact the sustainability of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities. According to her, insufficient political literacy among science students may result in limited engagement in strategic issues, including policy monitoring and advocacy. Fisheries students, for instance, possess significant potential to contribute to discussions on sustainable marine resource management; however, without adequate understanding of political systems and decision-making processes, their contributions may not reach their full impact.
Following the keynote presentation, the event continued with an interactive discussion session facilitated by Mochammad Satria Abdi Hasani from the Department of Political Science. Participants were divided into small groups to encourage active engagement and collaborative analysis. Each group was tasked with identifying and presenting one current political issue relevant either at the national level or within the fisheries and marine sector. Topics raised during the discussion included public policy transparency, the role of youth in political participation, democratic dynamics, and challenges in implementing fisheries-related regulations. Each issue was then critically examined and addressed by the facilitator using academic and contextual approaches, enabling participants to connect theoretical political concepts with real-world challenges in marine governance and public administration.
The discussion atmosphere was dynamic and participatory, marked by enthusiastic questions, thoughtful opinions, and constructive feedback from attendees. This open dialogue not only broadened participants’ understanding of contemporary political developments but also encouraged them to reflect on their responsibilities as members of the academic community. The event served not merely as a platform for knowledge transfer but also as a reflective space for students to strengthen their critical awareness and civic engagement. By integrating political perspectives into fisheries and marine sciences, students are expected to contribute more effectively to sustainable fisheries development, evidence-based policymaking, and community empowerment initiatives.
The talkshow concluded with the presentation of certificates to the speakers, followed by a joint documentation session involving participants, organizers, and invited guests. Overall, the “Bro&Sis” event successfully achieved its objective of enhancing students’ political literacy and fostering a generation of critical, adaptive, and competitive academic leaders. Moving forward, BEM FPK UNAIR remains committed to organizing similar educational initiatives that support students’ academic and non-academic development. Through such programs, students are encouraged not to remain passive observers of political processes, but to actively participate as informed individuals who think critically, voice their perspectives responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the fisheries and marine sector.
