Tolosa, Leyte — Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Universitas Airlangga (FPK UNAIR) continues to strengthen its international collaboration through an official visit to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tolosa, Philippines, on April 30, 2026. The visit was represented by Dr. nat. techn. Muhamad Nur Ghoyatul Amin, a lecturer and researcher from FPK UNAIR, Indonesia, together with the Department of Fisheries (DFish) academic delegation led by Dr. Rizalyn P. Gonzales. This activity became part of an ongoing effort to expand academic cooperation and foster sustainable fisheries development through partnerships between higher education institutions and local governments.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by the local government officials led by Hon. Erwin C. Ocaña, represented by MPDC/Executive Assistant EnP Desiree V. Ibañez and OIC-Municipal Agriculturist Ms. Beverly Robedillo. The meeting served as a strategic platform to strengthen synergy between universities and regional authorities in developing research initiatives that address local community needs, particularly in fisheries and sustainable seafood processing sectors.
During the courtesy call, both parties discussed several concrete opportunities for collaboration, including applied research, community empowerment programs, and innovation-based development initiatives. The discussion emphasized the importance of integrating academic research with the actual needs of coastal communities so that innovations produced through scientific studies could generate direct social and economic impacts. Through this approach, higher education institutions are expected to play a more active role as agents of change capable of delivering contextual and sustainable solutions to global challenges through local-based strategies.
One of the key topics highlighted during the meeting was the revitalization of vegetable and fish-based noodle production, commonly known as vege-fish noodles, which had previously been developed in one of the barangays in the Tolosa area. The LGU representatives explained that the product has strong potential as an innovative and nutritious food alternative that supports healthy food diversification while utilizing local fisheries resources. In addition to its economic value, the product also reflects sustainable marine resource utilization and community-based food innovation.
However, the discussion also identified several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the product. These include strengthening production technology, improving marketing strategies, and enhancing business sustainability. In this context, the role of academics and researchers becomes highly significant in providing research-based innovation and technological assistance to improve product quality, production efficiency, and broader market accessibility.
The collaboration between FPK UNAIR and LGU Tolosa also reflects a shared commitment to promoting sustainable fisheries development based on local potential and community empowerment. Through this partnership, both institutions aim to establish a collaborative ecosystem that integrates education, research, and community service into a mutually supportive framework. This initiative further demonstrates the important role of universities in bridging scientific knowledge with practical solutions for society.
The activity aligns closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through international academic collaboration, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through community-based economic empowerment, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through innovation-driven product development, SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through sustainable marine resource utilization, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strengthened cooperation between educational institutions and local governments.
The visit concluded with mutual appreciation and a shared commitment to continue developing collaborative programs that support sustainable fisheries innovation and community development. The delegation from FPK UNAIR expressed gratitude for the continuous support provided by LGU Tolosa toward research activities, community empowerment programs, and future academic partnerships. Through this collaboration, both parties hope to contribute more significantly to sustainable fisheries development and global academic cooperation in the years ahead.
Writer: Muhamad Nur Ghoyatul Amin
Editor: FBM
