Five UNIMAS Students Join Inbound Program at FIKP UNHAS

Five students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) have completed a two-month internship program at the Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), Makassar, Indonesia. The program, which took place from July 29 to October 6, 2024, allowed Iffah Aqilah Ismail, Nisa binti Mohamad Isma, Valerie Urai Ding, Wijber Lian Julian, and Wong Chee Kai to engage in various marine ecosystem conservation activities and marine organism cultivation.

During the program, they were guided by two experts from the Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries (FIKP) at UNHAS—Dr. Syafiuddin, a specialist in mariculture, and Dr. Syafyudin Yusuf, an expert in coral reef ecology. These lecturers provided mentorship throughout their hands-on activities, including giant clamclam (Tridacna sp.)cultivation and coral reef observation and restoration.

As part of their mandatory industrial training for graduation, the students learned a wide range of techniques, such as giant clam cultivation, coral reef identification methods, and marine species care, including seahorses, lobsters, and fish. They also earned their Open Water Diver certification, a crucial qualification for conducting underwater research safely.

In addition to hands-on activities, the students attended theoretical classes led by UNHAS lecturers, covering topics such as coral reef ecology, coastal ecosystem rehabilitation techniques, and mariculture management. These experiences deepened their understanding of sustainable marine resource management.

“I feel very fortunate to have participated in this program. The hands-on experience, especially in coral reef conservation and marine organism cultivation, has taught me valuable lessons,” one of the students said.

The program concluded with a final presentation on October 1, 2024, where each student presented their observations on the development of giant clam larvae and coral reef ecology in the Makassar region. This collaboration between UNHAS and UNIMAS enriched the students’ academic experience and contributed significantly to marine conservation efforts.