On 6 January 2025, the fifth edition of the “Learn With the Community” programme of the Universitas Airlangga Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPM) was officially inaugurated by the University Rector and attended by several deans, marking a renewed commitment to community‑engaged marine resource management.
The students of the Aquatic Resources Study Programme at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) reaffirmed their dedication to community service through the flagship programme “Belajar Bersama Komunitas” (BBK). The BBK 5 team, guided by experienced faculty members, carried out innovative activities in the field of aquatic resource management, engaging directly with coastal communities.
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Gunanti Mahasri, Ir., M.Si., together with Heru Pramono, S.Pi., M.Biotech., and Eka Saputra, S.Pi., M.Si., the team focused on enhancing the capacities of coastal communities to utilise aquatic resources sustainably. The programme aimed to provide education and hands‑on assistance to local communities in aquaculture techniques, aquatic waste management, and value‑added product innovation based on marine resources.
One of the main agendas of BBK 5 was a training session on biofloc technology for environmentally friendly and efficient catfish (lele) farming. In addition, the team provided guidance on processing marine catch into higher‑value products such as fish chips and shredded fish (abon). The initiative not only fosters economic welfare among coastal residents but also contributes to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems.
According to Prof. Mahasri, “This BBK programme gives students the opportunity to learn directly from the community while applying the knowledge they have acquired. The activity creates a symbiotic relationship between the university and the community. Students learn to face real challenges, whereas the community receives practical solutions to improve their quality of life.”
Heru Pramono added that the technology‑ and innovation‑based approach is a key strength of BBK 5. “We ensure that students are trained to think creatively and to create technology‑based solutions aligned with community needs,” he explained.Eka Saputra also shared hopes that the programme will yield long‑term impact. “We expect this activity to act as a catalyst for sustainable change in society. With the knowledge provided, the community is expected to manage aquatic resources independently in the future,” he remarked.
The BBK 5 programme of UNAIR FPM is expected to serve as an exemplar for other universities in combining academic activities with community service. Through collaboration between students, lecturers, and local communities, UNAIR continues to commit to making a tangible contribution to national development.
