MALANG – Marine plastic waste has become one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. In response, the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) is strengthening its international collaboration with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) through the Adjunct Professor Program Batch 1 of 2026. This collaboration brings together expertise in marine pollution and sustainable material engineering to develop innovative solutions for plastic pollution in coastal and marine environments.
Through this program, FPIK UB partners with Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Fathilah binti Ali from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Sustainability, Kulliyyah of Engineering, IIUM. The academic collaboration is coordinated by Prof. Defri Yona from the Marine Science Study Program at FPIK UB, aiming to strengthen interdisciplinary research that connects marine science with environmentally friendly material technology.
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Beyond serving as a platform for international knowledge exchange, this collaboration also opens opportunities for innovations that support the reduction of marine plastic pollution. This approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through efforts to protect marine ecosystems from plastic pollution, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through the development of sustainable materials, SDG 4 (Quality Education) through enhanced international learning, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) which promotes global collaboration in scientific development.
As part of the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fathilah delivered three online guest lectures to students of the Marine Science Study Program at FPIK UB. In the Marine Pollution course, she presented "Biodegradable Plastics in the Marine Environment: A Potential Source of Risk or Mitigation?", while in the Climate Change and Marine Ecosystems course, she discussed "Natural Alternatives: Fixing Plastic Waste and Climate Issues Together."
Through these lectures, students were introduced to the latest developments in biodegradable polymer technology, sustainable materials, as well as the challenges and opportunities in applying them to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution in marine environments. This multidisciplinary approach is expected to broaden students’ perspectives in addressing increasingly complex environmental issues.
The collaboration between the two institutions is also realized through the preparation of a joint scientific article titled "Rotten Sweet Potato Starch Biocomposites Reinforced with Kenaf Fiber and Ziziphus mauritiana Extract", which is planned for publication in the Journal of Natural Fibers. This research integrates FPIK UB’s expertise in marine environmental studies with IIUM’s specialization in sustainable polymer engineering, aiming to produce more environmentally friendly material innovations.
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In addition to supporting joint research, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fathilah also contributes to improving the academic quality of Universitas Brawijaya by serving as an international reviewer for manuscripts submitted to the Indonesian Green Technology Journal (IGTJ). The involvement of international academics is expected to enhance the quality of scientific publications while expanding the journal’s global visibility.
To further strengthen this collaboration, Prof. Defri Yona conducted an academic visit to IIUM on June 29, 2026. During the visit, he presented the profile of Universitas Brawijaya, FPIK UB, and the Marine Science Study Program, including achievements in education, research, and international collaboration.
Prof. Defri also presented research findings on marine debris and microplastics in various coastal regions of Indonesia. Discussions with academics from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Sustainability resulted in several follow-up plans, including joint research, publications in reputable international journals, academic and student exchanges, guest lectures, and the development of joint supervision for students.
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Through the Adjunct Professor Program 2026, FPIK Universitas Brawijaya once again demonstrates its commitment to building a global academic network that not only strengthens the quality of education and research but also delivers scientific solutions to global environmental challenges. The synergy between FPIK UB and IIUM is expected to serve as a foundation for long-term collaboration that generates sustainable innovations to protect marine ecosystems while strengthening Indonesia’s contribution to global scientific development.
Editor : Redaksi