AIS Innovator Scholarship Students Visit Coordinating Minister Marves
Students receiving the international Archipelagic Island States (AIS) Innovator Scholarship from the Department of Aquatic Resources Management (MSP), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science (FPIK) IPB University received a good welcome and encouragement from the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves), Luhut B Pandjaitan during a courtesy visit, Monday (25/3).
“In the future, IPB University students of the AIS master programme can make a positive contribution to their respective countries in the marine and fisheries sector,” said Prof Luky Adrianto as the coordinator of this programme.
“You can learn technical things from Indonesia, but you have to bring this spirit of contribution back to your country. You are the one who can change your own country,” said Luhut, reflecting on his experience in the government.
Luhut also said not to rely on other countries for their future and progress. He said that each country of the scholarship recipients can also transform into a developed country. This can be done by interpreting the things they have learnt in Indonesia to their respective countries.
“Their diverse backgrounds and research interests reflect the diverse challenges and opportunities facing islands and island nations around the world,” said Jodi Mahardi, Deputy for Coordination of Maritime Sovereignty and Energy at the Ministry.
Through the Innovators scholarship programme, Jodi said that the collaboration between the Government of Indonesia, the AIS Forum Secretariat, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to empower these scholars to become catalysts for positive change in their communities.
A representative from IPB University, Prof Luky Adrianto, as Chief of the Maritime, Marine and Fisheries International Research Institute; who was accompanied by the Dean of the Graduate School (Prof Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat) and the Chairman of the MSP Department (Prof Hefni Effendi); conveyed the central role of Indonesia as a country that has the potential to become a leader in the study of marine and fisheries in AIS countries.
“The scholarship recipients will take selected courses at the University of Malta to broaden their knowledge and encourage international research collaboration,” said Prof Luky Adrianto.
This master’s programme focuses on Small Island Management, which is managed by the Coastal and Marine Resource Management Study Programme (Prodi) of the MSP Department of FPIK IPB University. Students from AIS countries who participated in this full scholarship programme came from Madagascar, Comoros, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon and Indonesia.
During the meeting, the scholarship recipients were also given a direct opportunity to explain their research focus and vision after completing their studies. This was conveyed by the students as a commitment to contribute to solving problems in the fisheries and marine sector in their respective countries.
“Timor Leste is currently facing pollution problems, such as garbage, so when I finish my studies, I want to work with the Timor Leste Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to improve the management of marine pollution. In Indonesia, there are many innovative solutions in waste management,” said Alzira de Jesus dos Santos, a student from Timor Leste.
As for the presentation delivered by a student from Comoro Island, Ibrahim Tamou revealed that he was very interested in marine resource management. “My country is still developing all its sectors, including the marine sector. I want to know which areas are suitable for my country, Comoros,” he said.
Another student from Papua New Guinea, Lisa Ipambonj, also explained her research focus while studying in Indonesia. Lisa is interested in the socio-economic impact on the sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. With this, the sustainability of coral reef conservation in the Pacific Ocean can be well planned and organised.
Luhut explained and hoped that this scholarship programme can be held sustainably and all parties can support this. “I hope this programme can be continued, and hope all ministries/institutions can support this,” Luhut concluded. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
