Surabaya – The Master’s Program of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again become a destination of choice for recipients of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) scholarship. In the 2026 Academic Year, three new LPDP awardees officially joined the Master’s Program in Fisheries and Marine Biotechnology (BPK): Ina Safitri, Nur Alvi Syahrin, and Arinda Melina Putri. Although they come from diverse academic backgrounds and pursue different research interests, they share a common aspiration—to generate innovations that create meaningful benefits for society.
Advancing Knowledge to Contribute to Local Communities
One of the LPDP awardees, Ina Safitri, is an alumna of the Undergraduate Program in Aquaculture at FPK Universitas Airlangga. Her decision to continue her studies at her alma mater was strongly influenced by the positive academic experience she gained during her undergraduate years.
According to Ina, FPK Universitas Airlangga provides extensive opportunities for students to develop through academic competitions, student organizations, and comprehensive learning facilities. This supportive environment became her primary motivation to pursue a master’s degree at the faculty.
“During my undergraduate studies, FPK Universitas Airlangga provided many opportunities for students to grow through competitions, student organizations, and excellent facilities. That is why I decided to continue my master’s studies here,” she said.
Through the Master’s Program in Fisheries and Marine Biotechnology, Ina hopes to deepen her expertise in aquaculture. She plans to apply the knowledge she acquires to support fisheries development in her hometown, particularly through research on shrimp aquaculture development in Sumenep Regency.
Expanding Seaweed Research with Patent Potential
Unlike Ina, Nur Alvi Syahrin graduated from the Department of Marine Science at the University of Bengkulu. His interest in pursuing postgraduate studies at FPK Universitas Airlangga was inspired by his internship and research experience at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), specifically at the Fisheries Research Center, where he became involved in research on green seaweed (Chlorophyta).
This experience motivated him to further investigate the antioxidant properties of seaweed. He believes that while industrial applications have traditionally focused on Rhodophyta (red algae), Chlorophyta remains an underexplored resource with significant research and commercial potential.
“I want to continue my research on seaweed antioxidants. My hope is that the research will go beyond scientific publications and eventually lead to patents that provide real benefits,” Alvi explained.
In addition, Alvi plans to expand his work into DNA sequencing of seaweed, contributing to the sustainable utilization of Indonesia’s marine biodiversity through biotechnology-based research.
Developing Smart Packaging through Innovation
Meanwhile, Arinda Melina Putri chose FPK Universitas Airlangga because of its strong academic reputation and the expertise of its faculty members in food packaging, a field closely aligned with her undergraduate research interests.
Her previous research focused on food packaging made from Modified Cassava Flour (MOCAF) and kappa carrageenan. During her master’s studies, she intends to further develop this research by incorporating carbon dots technology to create smart food packaging with enhanced functionality.
“I see LPDP not only as a scholarship but also as an opportunity to improve the quality of my education. Through research and the implementation of the university’s Tri Dharma, I hope to help society better understand the potential of smart packaging,” Arinda said.
She also aims to graduate on schedule while producing research with practical applications for the food industry.
LPDP as a Pathway to Innovation and Public Impact
All three students agreed that the LPDP scholarship provides broad opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education. They believe that the program enables scholars to strengthen their academic potential while conducting research capable of creating tangible societal impact.
The presence of these LPDP awardees further reinforces FPK Universitas Airlangga’s commitment to developing highly qualified professionals who can address the challenges of the fisheries and marine sectors through research-driven innovation. This commitment aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by delivering high-quality postgraduate education, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through innovative research in biotechnology, aquaculture, and food technology, and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by advancing research that supports the sustainable management of fisheries and marine resources.
Author: Fahmi Bayhaqi
Editor: Terry Previo Avianto
