On Tuesday–Wednesday, September 23–24, 2025, the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) conducted a Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev) visit for students participating in their Field Work Practice (PKL) programs. The visit was led by Dr. Laksmi Sulmartiwi, S.Pi., MP. and Lailatul Lutfiyah, S.Pi., M.Si., accompanied by university staff Misnanto and Wahyu, who provided logistical support as drivers. The monitoring visits were held at two key partner institutions: Coastal Management Center (CMC) and Bajulmati Sea Turtle Conservation (BSTC).
At the CMC, the FPK delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Arik, the public relations officer of CMC and also the field supervisor for FPK’s PKL students. The following day, the team continued their visit to BSTC, where they were received by Mr. Sutardi, the head of the BSTC Foundation. Located on Bajulmati Beach, Gajahrejo Village, Gedangan District, Malang Regency, East Java, BSTC is a prominent non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 2018 that serves as a vital sea turtle conservation center along the southern coast of Java. The organization focuses on protecting endangered sea turtle species and restoring coastal ecosystems through community-based conservation efforts.
During the visit, both Mr. Arik and Mr. Sutardi expressed appreciation for the dedication and professionalism shown by FPK students throughout their PKL activities. They highlighted that the students had demonstrated strong engagement and initiative during fieldwork. However, they also emphasized the importance of further collaboration between FPK UNAIR and both institutions, particularly in advancing Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi—education, research, and community service. This collaboration aims to combine practical conservation expertise with academic research to create more effective and sustainable mangrove and marine ecosystem management strategies.
As an initial step toward strengthening institutional ties, the FPK monitoring team brought both soft and hard copies of the Cooperation Agreement (PKS) draft, signaling the faculty’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with relevant stakeholders. Establishing these formal collaborations plays a crucial role in supporting faculty development, academic accreditation, and the implementation of community-based environmental programs.
Furthermore, the monev activity revealed that several FPK students plan to continue their PKL projects into full-fledged research studies. This integration of fieldwork and research offers multiple benefits—not only accelerating students’ graduation timelines but also enhancing the university’s applied research output. By transforming PKL from a short-term practical experience into a foundation for deeper scientific inquiry, FPK UNAIR continues to nurture students’ academic excellence and real-world competence.
Overall, the monitoring visit at CMC and BSTC underscored FPK UNAIR’s commitment to continuous improvement in field-based education, applied marine research, and environmental stewardship. The collaboration between academic and conservation institutions exemplifies the faculty’s strategic efforts to align learning outcomes with sustainability goals, fostering a generation of fisheries and marine scientists who are ready to contribute to global conservation initiatives.
