A warm and enthusiastic atmosphere filled the meeting room of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Airlangga (FPK UNAIR), on Saturday (September 20, 2025), as the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Agriculture, UPN Veteran East Java, conducted an official visit to BEM FPK UNAIR. The event served as an important moment to strengthen ties between student organizations from different universities while opening opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration that connects agriculture and marine sciences in a shared mission toward sustainable development.
The session began with greetings and introductions between both delegations, highlighting mutual respect and the shared commitment to advancing student-led initiatives. In his welcoming remarks, the President of BEM FPK UNAIR emphasized that the agricultural and fisheries sectors are deeply interconnected, particularly in ensuring national food security. He expressed hope that the partnership would foster innovative collaborations between the two academic communities. Echoing this sentiment, the President of BEM Faculty of Agriculture UPN Veteran East Java stated that the visit marks a significant step in building strategic networks and empowering students to take an active role in addressing future food challenges.
Throughout the meeting, discussions centered on current global issues that affect both sectors. The participants exchanged insights on topics such as the impact of climate change on agriculture and fisheries, sustainable resource management, and the importance of food processing innovation. The dialogue allowed both organizations to share best practices, research interests, and strategies to support resilience in food production systems. This interaction underscored the role of young scholars in driving change through cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The engagement not only provided a space for idea exchange but also laid the foundation for long-term collaboration between the two faculties. Both BEMs expressed their intention to follow up with joint programs, including student research projects, workshops, and community empowerment initiatives. By bridging agriculture and fisheries, the collaboration aims to create solutions that align with the national agenda of food sovereignty and sustainability.
Beyond the academic discussions, the visit reflected a broader vision of strengthening the student movement’s contribution to science-based innovation and social impact. The spirit of solidarity demonstrated during the meeting reaffirmed that collaboration between different fields of study is crucial to preparing Indonesia’s future generation of researchers, policymakers, and leaders. The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and a group photo, marking the beginning of a promising partnership between UPN Veteran East Java and FPK UNAIR.
