Surabaya – The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga continues to strengthen its commitment to practice-based education through the successful harvest of its Educational Pond on 11 May 2026. Held at the front courtyard of FPK UNAIR, the activity demonstrated the faculty’s dedication to providing experiential learning opportunities that bridge academic knowledge with real-world aquaculture practices. The harvest event was attended by the Dean of FPK UNAIR, Prof. Dr. Ir. Endang Dewi Masithah, M.P., Daruti Dinda Nindarwi, S.Pi., M.P., Head of the Academic Business Unit of FPK UNAIR, along with lecturers, staff, and members of the academic community.
The harvest yielded a total of 108 kilograms of fish consisting of Nile tilapia, milkfish, and pomfret. The harvest marks an important stage in the management of the educational pond, which will soon be prepared again to support practical sessions for second-semester students enrolled in the Fundamentals of Aquaculture course. In addition, part of the harvested fish will be maintained and further utilized as raw materials for the development of value-added fisheries products, supporting broader educational and innovation activities within the faculty.
Beyond serving as a harvesting event, the activity reflects the implementation of experiential learning approaches that have become a hallmark of aquaculture education at FPK UNAIR. Through direct involvement in pond management activities, students gain practical exposure to the complete aquaculture production cycle, including pond preparation, water quality management, fish husbandry, and harvesting techniques. This hands-on learning model enables students to connect theoretical concepts learned in the classroom with actual field applications, preparing them for future professional roles in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
The educational pond has become an integral component of several aquaculture-related courses, including Fundamentals of Aquaculture, Water Quality Management, and Freshwater Aquaculture Management. Through these practical activities, students develop technical skills while also gaining a deeper understanding of sustainable aquaculture practices. The harvest process itself was conducted using proper fish-handling techniques to maintain product quality and demonstrate best management practices in aquaculture operations.
According to Prof. Endang Dewi Masithah, the educational pond plays a crucial role in supporting the quality of student learning, particularly in aquaculture-related disciplines. She emphasized that practical learning experiences are essential for equipping students with the competencies required by the rapidly evolving fisheries industry. By combining classroom instruction with direct field experience, students are better prepared to address future challenges in aquaculture production, innovation, and resource management.
The activity also highlights how academic institutions can create learning environments that simulate real industry conditions while fostering innovation and sustainability. Through continuous utilization of the educational pond, FPK UNAIR seeks to provide students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, technical expertise, and problem-solving abilities that are highly relevant to the needs of the fisheries sector. Such initiatives reinforce the faculty’s vision of producing graduates who are adaptive, competent, and capable of contributing to the advancement of sustainable aquaculture in Indonesia.
This educational pond harvest is also aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 4: Quality Education by strengthening competency-based practical learning, SDG 2: Zero Hunger through the promotion of sustainable aquaculture as a source of food production, and SDG 14: Life Below Water by introducing responsible aquatic resource management practices to students from the early stages of their academic journey.
Through this initiative, FPK UNAIR reaffirms its commitment to developing graduates who possess not only strong theoretical foundations but also practical skills that can contribute meaningfully to the growth of Indonesia’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The educational pond is expected to remain an innovative learning facility that supports the development of highly skilled and globally competitive human resources in fisheries and marine sciences.
Writer: Farrel Bhanu Mahardhika
Editor: TPA
