Surabaya – The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), has officially established a collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Marine Sciences (FPPK), Universitas Bangka Belitung (UBB). The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday (July 15, 2025), at FPPK UBB Campus in Pangkal Pinang. This partnership reflects both institutions’ shared commitment to synergize in supporting the implementation of the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi—education, research, and community service.
Representing FPK UNAIR was Dr. Eng. Sapto Andriyono, S.Pi., MT., Vice Dean III, while FPPK UBB was represented by its Dean, Riwan Kusmiadi, S.TP., M.Si. Dr. Sapto emphasized that the collaboration is a significant step toward building a productive and sustainable academic ecosystem. He highlighted the importance of inter-university cooperation in expanding educational reach and advancing scientific development, especially in fisheries and marine studies. “Through this partnership, we hope to initiate various collaborative programs that not only benefit the academic community but also bring tangible impacts to coastal societies,” said Dr. Sapto.
Echoing this sentiment, Riwan Kusmiadi, S.TP., M.Si., expressed his gratitude for the warm reception from FPK UNAIR. He stated that this collaboration would create substantial opportunities for both universities to enhance academic quality and social contribution. “UNAIR is one of Indonesia’s leading universities, and we at UBB are very open to synergizing in developing our shared potential—especially in addressing future challenges in the fisheries and marine sectors,” he remarked.
The agreed scope of cooperation includes faculty and student exchange programs, joint research projects, and integrated community service initiatives. In the near future, both institutions will begin drafting concrete activity plans as part of this partnership’s implementation. One of the first initiatives to be realized this year is a joint research project focusing on freshwater endemic fish species in Bangka.
The signing event was held in an atmosphere of enthusiasm, attended by faculty leaders, lecturers, and students from both universities. This collaboration marks a strategic step toward strengthening the role of higher education institutions as agents of change while enhancing human resource quality in fisheries and marine sciences at both national and regional levels.
