The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Fakultas Perikanan dan Kelautan Universitas Airlangga (FPK UNAIR), has begun implementing two flagship initiatives under KAKEMA 2026—Aquacraft Educare and Aquafest—as a concrete follow-up to its 2026 Work Meeting. These programs are designed to broaden community impact while reinforcing the role of students as agents of change grounded in fisheries and marine science expertise.
Scheduled throughout 2026, both programs actively involve FPK UNAIR students, aquascape hobbyist communities, and members of the public. Activities are conducted both on campus and off campus through collaborations with strategic partners. This initiative demonstrates how student organizations translate academic planning into measurable community engagement. By integrating education, creativity, and social empowerment, KAKEMA 2026 ensures that its programs are not only organizational agendas but also tangible contributions to sustainable development and food resilience.
Aquacraft Educare consists of two core components: Aquacraft Class and Educare. Aquacraft Class offers structured training sessions on aquascape design for students and the wider community, introducing participants to techniques for building aesthetically balanced and environmentally sustainable aquatic ecosystems. Beyond artistic arrangement, the class emphasizes ecological balance, water management, and responsible ornamental fisheries practices. Meanwhile, the Educare program focuses on social outreach by visiting orphanages and social institutions to introduce simple aquaculture methods that promote independence and food security. Through this applied knowledge transfer, students contribute to development priorities aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), and 14 (Life Below Water).
Complementing this educational initiative, Aquafest serves as a collaborative platform for aquascape enthusiasts from various backgrounds, including university students and the general public. Designed as an exhibition, competition, and community discussion forum, the event is projected to attract hundreds of participants. Aquafest facilitates idea exchange, creativity, and innovation in aquascaping and ornamental fisheries, while strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration aligned with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through this event, FPK UNAIR reinforces its position as a hub for sustainable fisheries education and innovation, bridging academic expertise with community-driven creativity.
The realization of Aquacraft Educare and Aquafest aims to expand the positive impact of student organizations directly into society while enhancing students’ practical competencies. For students, these programs serve as platforms for leadership development, teamwork, and science-based community service. For the public, they offer increased aquaculture literacy, opportunities for economic empowerment, and deeper awareness of aquatic ecosystem conservation. This synergy strengthens the implementation of higher education’s tridharma—particularly community service and cross-sector collaboration—supported by FPK UNAIR’s academic programs and laboratories. With a collaborative and innovative spirit, KAKEMA 2026 is optimistic that Aquacraft Educare and Aquafest will become sustainable models of impactful student engagement. Readers who wish to understand the strategic framework behind these initiatives are encouraged to read Part 1 for further context.
