Udayana University and MTCRC strengthen Indonesia-Korea Maritime and Fisheries Development Cooperation

Udayana University (Unud) expanded cooperation in academic and research programs in the field of marine technology, fisheries with the Korea-Indonesia Marine Technology Cooperation Research Center (MTCRC). The collaboration initiated by the Faculty of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Udayana University began with the signing of an MoU between Udayana University represented by the Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation and Information of Unud Prof. Dr. dr. I Putu Gede Adiatmika, M.Kes, with MTCRC Directors Dr. Hansan Park and Ivonne M. Radjawane Ph.D. took place in the Nusa Room, Rectorate Building, Bukit Jimbaran Udayana Campus, Thursday (13/4/23).

This cooperation in the maritime sector was initiated with cooperation at the Ministry level, namely the Indonesian and Korean Ministries of Maritime Affairs and Maritime Affairs, which on this occasion was also attended by the Deputy Coordinating Minister for Maritime Resources M. Firman Hidayat who welcomed the collaboration in joint research, technology transfer, and work joint development of "capability building" between Unud and the Korea-Indonesia MTCRC in the field of maritime affairs and fisheries, resources and other potential maritime resources.

Bali has spectacular underwater beauty and is rich in marine and fishery resource potential. "I believe that this collaboration will be a good first step to strengthen and increase the capacity of human resources and technology in the marine and fisheries sector in Bali," said Firman Hidayat.

In addition, this collaboration is also expected to be able to provide solutions and overcome several problems related to issues in the field of sustainable coastal and marine resource management, environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources, especially marine and coastal resources which are currently facing challenges and become a critical issue in Bali.

Meanwhile the Director of MTCRC Korea Dr. Park Hansan said that Unud is one of the leading tertiary institutions in the Eastern Indonesia Region, especially to help Indonesia develop academic research through the Faculty of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Bali has very wide beaches and seas and has a supportive environment for the development of natural resources. Likewise the Korea-Indonesia MTRCC, over the past few years has made significant achievements in conducting joint research with various institutions, supporting local community and collaboration platforms, and capacity building through several trainings and webinars/seminars to strengthen cooperation between Korea-Indonesia.

MTCRC hopes to carry out various activities to develop the maritime sector so that it can make a positive contribution to various regions. Therefore cooperation with other institutions including academic excellence is not an option, but a necessity.

Meanwhile the Director of MTCRC Indonesia Ivonne M. Radjawane, Ph.D said, MTCRC has actively collaborated with various stakeholders and it is hoped that the university will support Indonesia-Korea cooperation in the maritime field. Indonesia is a very large archipelagic country. This makes Indonesia a country that has great maritime potential.

To maximize its potential, cooperation from various parties is needed so that Indonesia's maritime development program can run well. One of them is collaborating with local universities in Indonesia. MTCRC is currently collaborating with IPB Bogor, Unhas, Unpatti and with several other universities which are still in the process. Unud as a leading university through the Faculty of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, has the same vision as the MTCRC in promoting and advancing academic and educational research. Through the signing of this MoU, it is hoped that it will be followed up with concrete steps to help advance the cooperation of the two parties.

While the Rector is represented by the Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation and Information of Unud, Prof. Dr. dr. I Putu Gede Adiatmika, M.Kes in this case also said that Unud is proud to be involved in the Korea-Indonesia MTCRC, in the context of developing fisheries and marine affairs in Indonesia and in Korea. This is a very useful program for how we will participate in this collaboration through education, research and community service, and also how to build our human resource capacity through the educational process and various student and faculty exchange exchanges.