Cirebon, May 5, 2025 — Students from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at Universitas Padjadjaran (FPIK UNPAD) recently conducted a field course integrated within their Marine Remote Sensing, Tropical Marine Ecology, and Marine Survey courses. This activity took place in the mangrove ecosystem area of Mundupesisir, Cirebon, as part of the implementation of a cooperation agreement between FPIK UNPAD and the Korea-Indonesia Marine Technology Cooperation Research Center (MTCRC) signed on November 21, 2024.
Through this collaboration, students were allowed to enhance their practical skills using advanced marine survey technologies. During the field course, the students performed ground truthing surveys on the mangroves to validate satellite imagery-based mapping data. They also collected spectral data from various objects within the mangrove ecosystem to build a spectral library essential for further analysis. Additionally, they conducted ecosystem mapping using industrial-grade drones equipped with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technology, enabling highly accurate geospatial data collection.
FPIK UNPAD utilized a range of advanced equipment provided by MTCRC to support these activities. The technology included the DJI Matrice 300 RTK industrial drone, the state-of-the-art CHCNAV AA450 LiDAR sensor, and the USSIMO hyperspectral radiometer capable of capturing precise light spectra. Accurate distance measurements were obtained using the Haglöf Vertex 5 rangefinder, while the Leica GS18T device provided high-precision geographic positioning for the mapping process. Complementing the MTCRC’s equipment, the students also operated FPIK UNPAD’s own DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Multispectral drone to enrich the field data collected.
Donny Juliandri Prihadi, Ph.D., a lecturer in Marine Sciences at UNPAD, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity provided by MTCRC. He noted that the field course offered invaluable hands-on experience for students to familiarize themselves with and operate modern marine survey instruments. “We hope that our students gain new insights and knowledge that will benefit their academic and professional development,” he said.
Meanwhile, M. Faqih Hidayatullah, a researcher at MTCRC, added that the activity exemplifies the tangible outcomes of the collaboration between MTCRC and Universitas Padjadjaran. He emphasized MTCRC’s commitment to continuously sharing knowledge and the latest technologies in marine surveying to support the development of competent and competitive human resources.
Beyond the field course activities, 86 students, 12 teaching assistants, and 3 lecturers of FPIK UNPAD had the opportunity to visit the MTCRC Cirebon Center facilities located at ITB Watubelah, Cirebon. During the visit, they were introduced to various advanced marine survey instruments and laboratory facilities. The visit also featured an in-depth presentation on the application and processing of data obtained from hyperspectral sensors, broadening the students’ understanding of the technologies in use, and a brief introduction to the MTCRC. The visit was also attended by MTCRC Directors, Dr. PARK Hansan and Ivonne Milichristi Radjawane, Ph.D. Both of them greeted and engaged in discussions with the participating students and lecturers, providing encouragement and motivation for advancing competencies in marine and fisheries sciences.
Since this strategic partnership began, UNPAD firmly believes that the technical expertise and modern equipment provided by MTCRC play a crucial role in elevating the quality of education and enriching the practical experience of its students. This collaboration is expected to serve as a strong foundation for producing skilled human resources capable of contributing to sustainable marine science development.
