The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Airlangga (FPK UNAIR), reaffirmed its commitment to producing globally competitive graduates through the Employer Meeting 2026, themed “Building Sustainable and Impactful Strategic Collaboration,” held on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Hotel Morazen, Surabaya. The forum served as a strategic platform to align industry demands with the faculty’s Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum while strengthening synergy among academics, alumni, and key stakeholders across sectors.
The event took place from 08.00 to 13.00 WIB in a structured and engaging format. It began with participant registration, an opening session led by the Master of Ceremony, the singing of Indonesia Raya and the Airlangga Hymn, followed by a welcoming address from the Dean of FPK UNAIR, Prof. Dr. Endang Dewi Masithah, Ir., M.P. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration in enhancing the quality and relevance of higher education. The opening session concluded with a joint photo session symbolizing strengthened partnerships and shared commitment to advancing fisheries and marine education.
A total of 32 participants representing diverse sectors—including industry, government institutions, banking, and education—attended the meeting. Their presence reflected a collective commitment to developing an adaptive and responsive educational ecosystem that meets labor market needs. The initiative also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which highlights cross-sector collaboration as a driver of sustainable development.
The first presentation was delivered by Lastiko Endi Rahmantyo, M.Hum., who discussed employer reputation and the strategic role of alumni in strengthening institutional credibility. He explained that alumni performance serves as a primary indicator of educational success and acts as a bridge between academia and industry. Through the Alumni Career and Entrepreneurship Development Program (PKKA), FPK UNAIR actively facilitates job placement, conducts tracer studies, and promotes impactful alumni achievements.
The PKKA program encompasses job fairs, campus hiring initiatives, and talent scouting activities aimed at improving graduate employability. Furthermore, Lastiko highlighted that in the QS World University Rankings, indicators such as Employer Reputation (ER) and Employment Outcomes (EO) significantly influence institutional assessment. Strengthening collaboration among the faculty, alumni, and industry partners therefore represents a strategic step in enhancing global competitiveness and recognition.
The second session was presented by Annur Ahadi Abdillah, S.Pi., M.Si., Ph.D., who outlined the faculty profile, vision and mission, and academic development roadmap of FPK UNAIR. He shared that FPK UNAIR achieved a global ranking of 351–400 and ranked 6th nationally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 in Agriculture and Forestry, with the highest Citations per Paper score reaching 67.7. This achievement reflects the faculty’s strong research performance and academic impact at the international level.
Annur further elaborated on the faculty’s scientific development focus areas, particularly in aquaculture and Fisheries Product Technology. In aquaculture, research development concentrates on fish health management, including studies on parasitic and bacterial diseases. Meanwhile, in Fisheries Product Technology, research focuses on nutraceuticals and bio-compounds with significant potential for the food and health industries. These academic priorities not only respond to industry demands but also contribute to SDG Goal 14 (Life Below Water) by promoting sustainable aquatic resource management through research-based innovation. As a result, graduates are equipped with both academic competence and environmental sustainability awareness.
The event also featured an interactive discussion session, during which stakeholders provided feedback through satisfaction forms and open dialogue. One participant, Mr. Herdiyanto from CV Prima, noted that FPK UNAIR graduates generally demonstrate strong soft skills and leadership capacity. He stated that approximately 70–75 percent of managerial positions in his company are currently held by alumni of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, reflecting their competence in communication, teamwork, and decision-making.
Despite this positive assessment, he emphasized the need to further strengthen students’ mental resilience and readiness to work in dynamic and geographically diverse environments, including assignments outside their home regions or abroad. According to him, systematic preparation and character development are essential to ensure graduates can adapt to global workforce challenges.
Overall, the Employer Meeting 2026 provided strategic benefits in reinforcing collaboration between the faculty and stakeholders, gathering constructive feedback on graduate quality, and aligning curriculum development with industry expectations. The event concretely supports the implementation of SDG Goals 14 and 17 by strengthening fisheries science and fostering sustainable cross-sector partnerships.
Through this initiative, FPK UNAIR reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing excellent, adaptive, and globally competitive graduates. The synergy among faculty members, alumni, and stakeholders remains a fundamental pillar in building relevant, sustainable higher education capable of delivering meaningful contributions to society and the global fisheries sector.
