Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — The Undergraduate Program in Aquatic Resources Management (MSP), Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), continues to strengthen academic networks and international research collaboration. One of the MSP USU lecturers, Vindy Rilani Manurung, S.Pi., M.Si., participated in a workshop and collaborative research at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia.
The activity was part of a collaborative research project entitled “Assessing Shark and Ray Diversity and Temporal Community Composition in East Johor Using an Integrated Approach of Conventional Fish Sampling and Non-Invasive Monitoring Methods.” The research focuses on assessing shark and ray diversity and temporal changes in their community composition in the East Johor region of Malaysia.
One important aspect of this activity was the development of a biodiversity monitoring approach that integrates conventional fish sampling methods with non-invasive monitoring methods. This approach is expected to produce more comprehensive biodiversity information while reducing dependence on sampling methods that may place pressure on the organisms being observed.
As part of the workshop series, participants received capacity building on various stages of research, ranging from sample handling and preparation, the application of molecular methods in the laboratory, to discussions on data analysis workflows for biodiversity monitoring. Laboratory activities and discussions with the Universiti Malaya research team also provided a space for exchanging experiences on the application of modern approaches to aquatic resource and conservation studies.
Vindy Rilani Manurung's participation in the activity was part of MSP USU's efforts to expand international collaboration, particularly in the fields of aquatic biodiversity, fish resource conservation, and the development of aquatic ecosystem monitoring methods. The experience and knowledge gained are expected to be transferred into research and learning activities at MSP USU, including opening opportunities for student involvement in collaborative research in the future.
This collaboration is also relevant to strengthening the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 – Life Below Water, through the provision of scientific data to support the conservation and sustainable utilization of marine biological resources. In addition, inter-university collaboration supports SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, particularly through strengthening international partnerships in research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
The lecturer's participation in the international research is expected not to stop at the workshop but to develop into sustainable research collaboration, joint scientific publications, knowledge and technology exchange, and the development of networks between Universitas Sumatera Utara and Universiti Malaya. Thus, this activity also strengthens the internationalization of the tridharma while supporting the development of academic excellence in the Undergraduate Program in Aquatic Resources Management USU.