UNIB Marine Science Students Gain Practical Experience Through Practitioner Teaching Program: Coral Reef Data Collection Methods

Universitas Bengkulu (UNIB) is among the universities implementing the Practitioner Teaching Program as part of the Independent Learning Campus (MBKM). This program is conducted in the Faculty of Agriculture (FP) for the Marine Science program. Students in the Marine Science program at Universitas Bengkulu feel fortunate to acquire knowledge related to the methods of collecting data in coral reefs, presented by a practitioner in the Practitioner Teaching course Coralology (IKL-205). This activity was conducted online using the Zoom Cloud Meeting platform on Monday, October 30, 2023, from 2:00 PM onwards.

The method of collecting data in coral reef areas is a meticulous and careful process. Researchers typically use diving survey methods, involving underwater dives to observe, measure, and record various environmental parameters such as water temperature, water quality, coral density, and biodiversity. Another commonly used method is visual transects, where researchers follow a fixed path and record coral species encountered. These methods are crucial for understanding the development, conservation, and management of coral reef ecosystems essential for marine environmental sustainability.

Dede Kurniawan, a UNIB Marine Science student, highlighted the significant difference between theoretical learning and direct practical experience in applying data collection methods in coral reef areas. The theory explained by Practitioner Lecturer Prehadi, S.I.K., M.Si is directly applied in the Field Practicum on Pulau Tikus. In practice, students not only record numbers and facts but also experience the coral reef environment directly. Additionally, students learn to interact with the coral reefs, observe organism behavior, and understand challenges that may arise during the data collection process. This practical experience provides them with profound insights into these methods.

Practitioner Lecturer Prehadi, S.I.K., M.Si, from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), is a graduate of the Department of Marine Science and Technology, IPB. Currently, he works at the Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center in Sorong, Directorate General of Coastal and Small Islands, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).