Bengkulu, August 11, 2026 — The Marine Science Study Program and Fisheries Science Study Program of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Bengkulu (UNIB), strengthened their international academic network through a public lecture featuring Dr. Norhidayah Abd. Manan from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). The event was held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m. WIB, at the Meeting Room of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Universitas Bengkulu.

The public lecture carried the theme “Innovation in Sustainable Marine Resources: Advancing the Blue Economy for Future.” The theme is highly relevant to current challenges in marine and fisheries resource management, particularly the need to harness innovation and technology to support sustainable marine resource utilization while simultaneously promoting the growth of the blue economy.

The event provided an important opportunity for the academic community of Universitas Bengkulu to gain international insights and perspectives on developments in marine resource innovation. Through the lecture, participants were encouraged to recognize the importance of integrating environmental, social, technological, and economic dimensions in developing a sustainable marine and fisheries sector for the future.

Dr. Norhidayah Abd. Manan was warmly welcomed at Universitas Bengkulu by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Ir. Suharyanto, S.Pt., M.Si. The welcoming session was also attended by academic leaders and representatives from the marine and fisheries fields within the Faculty of Agriculture, including Dr. Yar Johan, S.Pi., M.Si., Head of the Marine Science Study Program; Dr. Ir. Deddy Bakhtiar, M.Si., Head of the Fisheries Science Study Program; and Ayub Sugara, S.Kel., M.Si., Head of the Fisheries Laboratory.
The presence of these academic leaders reflects the Faculty of Agriculture’s commitment to expanding international academic collaboration, particularly in the development of knowledge, research, and innovation in marine and fisheries science.
In addition to the public lecture, the academic visit and collaboration were continued with the signing of an Implementation Arrangement (IA) between AKUATROP, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, and the Marine Science Study Program, Fisheries Science Study Program, and Fisheries Laboratory of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Bengkulu.
The signing of the IA represents a strategic step toward strengthening the implementation of collaboration between the two institutions. The partnership is expected to create broader opportunities in education, research, knowledge and experience exchange, human resource capacity development, and innovation in sustainable marine and fisheries resource management.

The collaboration between Universitas Bengkulu and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu is expected to go beyond ceremonial activities and develop into concrete programs that provide meaningful benefits for students, lecturers, researchers, and local communities. In addressing the growing challenges of marine and coastal ecosystem management, international collaboration serves as an important platform for developing science-based and innovative approaches.

Through the public lecture and the signing of the IA, the Faculty of Agriculture of Universitas Bengkulu reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the internationalization of higher education, marine and fisheries research development, and the implementation of the blue economy concept. These efforts are aimed at promoting productive and innovative utilization of marine resources while ensuring environmental sustainability.
With the spirit of “Innovation in Sustainable Marine Resources,” the collaboration between Universitas Bengkulu and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu is expected to serve as a foundation for future innovation and sustainable partnerships, contributing to the advancement of the blue economy in Indonesia and Malaysia.