Tolosa, Philippines – The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga continues to strengthen its international academic presence through a HyFlex international guest lecture conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Visayas State University (VSU) Tolosa, Philippines, on 6 May 2026. The activity formed part of Universitas Airlangga’s ongoing commitment to expanding global academic networks, fostering international research partnerships, and promoting interdisciplinary knowledge exchange in marine science and biotechnology.
The international lecture was delivered by Dr. Muhamad Nur Ghoyatul Amin, an outbound staff representative from the Department of Marine, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga. The session adopted a hybrid-flexible (HyFlex) learning model, enabling participants to attend both onsite and online. This approach broadened participation among lecturers and students from Visayas State University, as well as several students from Universitas Airlangga. The implementation of the HyFlex system also reflects the growing transformation of higher education toward more inclusive, accessible, and technology-driven learning environments.
During the second lecture session, Dr. Muhamad Nur Ghoyatul Amin presented a topic entitled “Chemistry of Chitin,” highlighting the utilization of chitin and chitosan derived from Indonesian marine organisms. The lecture explored the chemical properties of these compounds, extraction techniques, and their potential applications across various sectors, particularly food technology and biomedical industries. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Rizalyn Gonzales and summarized by Dr. Riza Regato, creating an engaging academic atmosphere that encouraged active interaction and knowledge sharing among participants.
The topic attracted significant interest due to its relevance to sustainable marine resource utilization and the development of environmentally friendly biomaterials. Chitin and chitosan, naturally obtained from crustacean shells and other marine organisms, were presented as valuable biopolymers with diverse applications, including food preservation, pharmaceutical products, wound-healing materials, and biomedical innovations. The lecture also emphasized Indonesia’s rich marine biodiversity as a strategic resource for advancing globally competitive marine biotechnology research and innovation.
Furthermore, the session highlighted the importance of transforming marine by-products into value-added products as part of a sustainable circular economy approach within the fisheries and marine sector. Through scientific innovation and collaborative research, marine waste can be utilized more efficiently, contributing not only to environmental sustainability but also to economic opportunities for coastal communities and fisheries-related industries.
This international academic initiative also demonstrated Universitas Airlangga’s contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The development of marine-based biomaterials for food and biomedical applications supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by promoting sustainable materials that enhance human health and quality of life. In addition, the utilization of marine biopolymers aligns with SDG 14: Life Below Water through sustainable marine resource management and the reduction of fisheries processing waste. The collaborative partnership between Universitas Airlangga and Visayas State University further reflects SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by strengthening international academic cooperation and facilitating global knowledge exchange.
Through this HyFlex international guest lecture, FPK Universitas Airlangga reaffirmed its dedication to advancing marine science, expanding global academic partnerships, and inspiring students and researchers to develop innovative solutions for sustainable marine resource management. The activity is expected to further enhance the faculty’s international reputation while opening broader opportunities for collaborative research between Indonesia and the Philippines in fisheries, marine biotechnology, and sustainable development.
Author: Muhammad Nur Ghoyatul Amin
Editor: FBM
