Students of the Archipelagic Island States (AIS) Innovator Scholarship international scholarship from the Department of MSP, 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 with the AIS master’s program will be able to make positive contributions to their respective countries in the marine and fisheries sector,” said Prof. Luky Adrianto, who is the coordinator of this program.

“You can indeed learn technical things from Indonesia, but you must bring this spirit of contribution back to your country. “You are the one who can change your own country,” said Coordinating Minister Luhut, reflecting on his wealth of experience while in government.

Coordinating Minister Luhut also said not to rely on other countries for the future and progress of his country. He said that each country from which student recipients of this scholarship could also transform into a developed country. This can be done by interpreting things that have been learned in Indonesia to their respective countries.

“Their diverse backgrounds and research interests reflect the diverse challenges and opportunities faced by archipelago and island countries throughout the world,” said Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy Coordination at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Jodi Mahardi.

Through the Innovator scholarship program, Jodi said that the collaboration between the Indonesian Government, the AIS Forum Secretariat, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) aims to empower these scholars to become catalysts for positive change in their communities.

Representative from IPB University, Prof Luky Adrianto, as Head of the International Research Institute for Maritime Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries; who was accompanied by the Dean of the Postgraduate School (Prof Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat) and the Head 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 studies on marine and fisheries in AIS countries.

“The scholarship recipients will take certain courses at the University of Malta to expand their knowledge and encourage international research collaboration,” said Prof Luky Adrianto.

This master’s program focuses on Small Island Management which is managed by the Coastal and Marine Resources Management Study Program (SPL) of the MSP FPIK IPB University Department. Students from AIS countries who take part in this program with a full scholarship come from Madagascar, Comoros, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon and Indonesia.

During the meeting, students who received these scholarships 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 overcoming problems in the fisheries and marine sector in their respective countries.

“Timor Leste is currently facing pollution problems, such as waste, 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 pollution in the sea. In Indonesia, there are many innovative solutions in waste management,” said Alzira de Jesus dos Santos, a student from Timor Leste.

The presentation delivered by a student from Comoro Island, Ibrahim Tamou, revealed that he was very interested in managing marine resources. “My country is still developing all its sectors, including the maritime sector. “I want to know which areas are suitable for my country, the Comoros,”.

A student from Papua New Guinea, Lisa Ipambonj, also explained the focus of her research 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 structured.

Coordinating Minister Luhut explained and hoped that this scholarship program could be held sustainably and that all parties could support this. “I hope that this program can be continued, and hope that all ministries/institutions can support this,” concluded Coordinating Minister Luhut.