Study Program of Aquatic Resources Management, Department of MSP IPB University Visits KKP

In the current Internet of Things (IoT) era, all of one's professional activities must be introduced to the public and uploaded on social media platforms. Likewise, the Masters and Doctoral Programs for Coastal and Marine Resources Management (SPL) under the Department of Aquatic Resources Management (MSP), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) IPB University.

The Head of the S3 SPL Study Program, Prof Ario Damar accompanied by the Head of the MSP Department, Prof Hefni Effendi paid a visit to the Directorate General (DG) of Marine Spatial Management (PRL), Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). Both were received by the Secretary of the Directorate General of PRL, Dr Kusdiantoro.

On this occasion Prof Ario explained that the scope of the SPL Study Program is very much in line with the duties and functions of the Directorate General of PRL, which are essentially management of sea space, management of coasts and small islands. Variables, approaches, methods used in managing marine space are one of the core competencies taught in the SST Study Program.

"The existence of the SPL Study Program even preceded the formation of the KKP. The science of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) has been widely developed and taught in this study program together with the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (PKSPL) IPB University. Even at that time, training on ICZM was periodically conducted, "explained Prof Ario.

In its development, ICZM has been widely adopted in Indonesia as a consideration in designing integrated development in coastal areas. Even recently, the principle of inclusiveness has been sharpened even more in the development of coastal areas.

“When we talk about conservation, it's not just protecting and preserving natural resources whose existence may have been threatened. However, it also pays attention to the livelihood of the people who depend on the biodiversity that surrounds them," he added.

Community involvement in conservation is one of the areas where their understanding of the Social Ecological System (SES) is sharpened. SES science is also one of the core competencies of the MSP IPB University Department.

Furthermore, Prof Hefni explained that currently the MSP Department is a progressive, proactive and adaptive department. In 2023, the MSP IPB University Department and the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) are collaborating to develop an international Masters program in small island management.

The program provides full master scholarships to a number of scholars from countries that are members of the Archipelagic Island State (AIS) such as Fiji, Solomon, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and other countries to study at SPL IPB University on small island management.

"The MSP IPB University Department through the SPL Study Program also provides several full doctoral scholarship programs for SES studies. This program is organized in collaboration with Oxford University, UK. Apart from that, the possibility of research collaboration between the MSP Department of IPB University and the Directorate General of PRL KKP was also explored, "said Prof Hefni who also agreed with Dr. Kusdiantoro.

Prof Hefni hopes that with this visit, a number of staff from the Directorate General of PRL KKP will further study at the SPL Study Program, increase the quantity of PRL staff who have previously studied and are currently studying at SPL and establish partnerships in the form of research collaborations. (*/Rz) (IAAS/YMK)