Selangor, Malaysia – As higher education institutions continue to expand their global engagement, the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga remains committed to strengthening international academic collaboration through various mobility and partnership programs. Following the successful implementation of international student initiatives such as AIRVENTURE and Tropical Fisheries TROFIA, the faculty is also encouraging academic staff to broaden their international presence through research and teaching collaborations with leading universities worldwide.
One of the faculty members actively contributing to this effort is Dr. Heru Pramono, a lecturer at the Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga. Currently serving as a Research Fellow at the Institute of Bioscience (IBS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), through a full-time staff outbound program, Dr. Heru is participating in a series of collaborative academic activities designed to strengthen research partnerships between the two institutions.
According to Dr. Heru, the program adopts a hybrid format that combines both online and onsite activities, allowing broader participation and facilitating knowledge exchange between researchers, lecturers, and students from Indonesia and Malaysia. The initiative focuses on enhancing collaboration between FPK UNAIR, particularly the Department of Marine Science, and the Institute of Bioscience, UPM, while creating opportunities for joint research, academic mobility, and scientific dissemination.
The collaboration involves several prominent researchers from UPM, including Prof. Ina Salwany, Dr. Azzam, Dr. Farhan, Dr. Azfar, and Dr. Chin. Dr. Heru emphasized that the partnership reflects the strong institutional support provided by both Universitas Airlangga and Universiti Putra Malaysia in encouraging academics to engage in international research networks and contribute to global scientific advancement.
As part of the program, Dr. Heru delivered an international guest lecture on 13 May 2026 attended by more than fifteen local and international students at UPM. The lecture, entitled “Biotechnology Applications in Post-Harvest Fisheries Processing,” highlighted the role of biotechnology in enhancing the utilization of fisheries resources, particularly in post-harvest management and value-added product development. Drawing upon his doctoral research experience at the University of Tokyo, Japan, Dr. Heru shared insights into innovative biotechnological approaches that can improve sustainability and efficiency within the fisheries sector.
During the lecture, participants explored various applications of biotechnology in fisheries post-harvest systems, including the valorization of fisheries by-products and waste materials into high-value products. The topic attracted significant interest among students and researchers due to its relevance to sustainable fisheries development and circular bioeconomy practices.
One doctoral student participating in the session expressed appreciation for the discussion, stating, “I am happy to learn from your presentation, particularly about the challenges of valorizing fisheries by-products through biotechnology approaches.” The feedback reflected the growing interest among young researchers in developing innovative solutions for sustainable resource utilization within the fisheries industry.
Beyond academic dissemination, the visit also serves as a foundation for future collaborative initiatives between FPK UNAIR and UPM. Joint scientific publications, research projects, and academic exchanges are among the key outcomes expected from this partnership. The collaboration is anticipated to provide valuable opportunities for students of Fisheries Product Technology and Aquaculture at FPK UNAIR, including access to international research networks, collaborative projects, and potential pathways for postgraduate study in Malaysia.
This international academic engagement also supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through international knowledge exchange and academic collaboration, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through the advancement of biotechnology-based innovations, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by strengthening cooperation between higher education institutions across borders.
Through initiatives such as this, FPK UNAIR continues to reinforce its commitment to internationalization, research excellence, and the development of globally competitive human resources. The partnership with Universiti Putra Malaysia is expected to further strengthen academic ties between Indonesia and Malaysia while fostering innovative research that contributes to the sustainable development of fisheries and marine sciences.
Writer: Heru Pramono
Editor: TPA
