Encouraging Collaborative Underwater Technology Research and Innovation, Department of ITK IPB University Initiates the Formation of an Underwater Technology Scientific Group Cluster
In order to encourage research collaboration and underwater technology innovation (TBA), the Division of Underwater Acoustics, Instrumentation and Robotics (AIR) of the Department of Marine Science and Technology (ITK) Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) IPB University held a Workshop on the Formation of TBA Scientific Group Clusters.
The steps to forming the cluster are to increase productivity as well as responsible management efforts and to maintain the sustainability of life below water. The event succeeded in forming a cluster of scientific groups that focused on developing underwater technology to support agro-maritime 4.0.
In the introduction to the workshop, the Head of the AIR Division, Prof Indra Jaya stated that this workshop was the first step to integrate the knowledge and experience of TBA researchers and developers so that they are expected to work together in opening opportunities and overcoming challenges under the sea.
“In the future, this cluster will have a broad scope of research and development, including the fields of marine and fisheries acoustics, marine instrumentation, and underwater robotics. Along with the development of artificial intelligence, this cluster is also expected to be able to make extensive use of the development of computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms in automating and streamlining the underwater data/image processing process,” said the Professor of FPIK IPB University.
Prof Henry Manik, one of the speakers at this workshop, revealed that TBA research could be a solution to existing problems in the agro-maritime sector. However, limited costs and expertise became one of the limitations in this research. According to him, the formation of this scientific cluster is the answer to break through this barrier.
“The unification of mindsets as well as vision and mission in this scientific cluster is a sign of success in tearing down individual roadmap walls in order to go towards something stronger, more agile in dealing with problems,” said the lecturer at the ITK Department of IPB University.
One of the topics highlighted in this workshop is the direction of developing underwater robotics which requires cooperation between other fields of expertise such as oceanography and engineering and computer science.
The output of this workshop activity is the preparation of a TBA research and development roadmap document. In addition, an organizational structure and membership of the TBA scientific group cluster were also formed.
“Through TBA research and development activities, it is hoped that stronger and more productive work networks will be formed, developing and strengthening human resources and downstreaming research in the form of reputable papers and TBA products,” he hoped.
Dr Syamsul Bahri Agus, Chair of the IPB University ITK Department fully supports the collaboration and cooperation created in this event. He expressed his belief that cooperation between various disciplines would bring great progress in the marine sector.
“With closer collaboration, it is hoped that there will be an acceleration in the development of innovative and sustainable underwater technologies. It is hoped that the results of the collaboration of experts and researchers in this scientific group cluster will make a real contribution in advancing the maritime sector in Indonesia,” he said in his closing remarks. (*/Rz) (IAAS/Res)
