Exploring Indonesia’s marine beauty and natural wealth is crucial for advancing oceanography.
The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, in collaboration with OceanX, organized the Young Explorer Program (YEP) as part of a long-term commitment to exploring Southeast Asian waters.
In this program, three students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) were selected as delegates to explore the ocean for five days from Aug. 5 to 9, 2024.
UGM students come from three different study programs: I Gusti Ayu Maresta Amrita P. P. (Economics, 2021), Calvin Muliawan (Biology, 2021), and Najwa Waqiah (Management, 2022).
They were dispatched from Tanjung Benoa Harbor in Bali to Bitung, North Sulawesi.
Along with students from other universities, they were aboard a ship specially designed for scientific research missions and media production, equipped with cutting-edge technology for deep-sea exploration.
There were various engaging learning activities related to oceanography.
The students had the opportunity to observe and learn through workshops, lectures, and laboratories covering oceanography principles, environmental DNA (eDNA), acoustic mapping, and marine biogeochemistry.
Calvin Muliawan expressed his happiness at being involved in the YEP. Initially, he was unsure if he could participate due to scheduling conflicts with his classes and other activities.
However, after consulting with his lecturers, he decided to apply. Eventually, he passed the selection process to become a YEP 2024 participant.
“This experience tested my commitment to marine science and OceanX’s mission,” Muliawan said during a meeting at UGM on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
One of the most memorable experiences during the program was the live broadcast from the OceanXplorer ship.
Muliawan and other student delegates each shared information about the importance of Ocean Education and public awareness of marine issues.
According to him, the program provided opportunities to build long-term relationships with mentors and develop career networks for the future.
The YEP program focuses on scientific and technological aspects and participants’ personal and professional development.
Students and the ship’s crew, who serve as mentors and researchers, also share professional experiences.
The program creates a lasting support network to assist students in their future careers.
Meizani Irmadhiany, Senior Vice President and Executive Chair of Conservation Indonesia, stated that the organization is committed to preserving marine biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future for future generations.
“This collaboration will advance scientific knowledge, support the creation of sustainable marine protected areas, and promote responsible fisheries management,” she explained.
Besides serving as a learning platform for young researchers, the YEP program also aims to contribute to the protection of 30% of Indonesia’s marine areas by 2045.
This aligns with promoting sustainable marine economic growth for coastal communities.
According to the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment’s website, its minister, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, outlined the primary goal of the collaboration between the Ministry, BRIN, and OceanX to advance marine science.
“We hope that research from this mission can support social welfare by discovering innovative potentials in products and solutions for fields such as medicine or biotechnology,” said Coordinating Minister Luhut.
The YEP program’s vessel uses advanced technology to survey marine environments, including deep-sea, shallow, and coastal habitats.
It is equipped with a submarine capable of diving up to 1,000 meters.
The ship features state-of-the-art research laboratories, next-generation DNA sequencing capabilities, comprehensive acoustic mapping, and temperature and depth conductivity analysis.
Additionally, it has a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) capable of operating at depths of up to 6 kilometers below the ocean’s surface.
BRIN Head Laksana Tri Handoko mentioned that the program is open to all prospective young scientists through an open call and competitive collaboration.
The supporting scheme aims to encourage marine research and the utilization of marine resources across Indonesia’s waters.
According to him, this collaboration represents an opportunity to explore further into Indonesia’s waters, especially for young researchers.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang