Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Sciences of Universitas Hasanuddin (FIKP Unhas) held a webinar on “Can Algae Save the Planet?” by Prof. Peter Ralph (Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Australia). The event took place online through the zoom meeting application on Wednesday (13/07).
Dean of FIKP Unhas Safruddin, S.Pi., M.P., Ph.D., expressed his hope that this webinar could be a medium to increase motivation, and ideas, and improve the quality of research, especially in the use of algae for various lines of life.
The activity was officially opened by the Vice-Rector for Partnership, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Business, Prof. Dr. Eng. Adi Maulana, ST, M.Phil. In his remarks, he said that activities like this were generally in line with the policies of the Minister of Education and Culture, Research and Technology, through the World Class University.
Prof. Adi said that currently Unhas is recognized as a World Class University based on QS-World University Ranking.
“In general, Unhas continues to make efforts to improve quality in various ways including the internationalization process. Webinars that present foreign speakers are one of the efforts to open partnerships. Therefore, hopefully, activities like this will not only be a means of developing knowledge. However, it also builds relationships and partnerships,” explained Prof. Adi.
After the official opening, the event continued with the presentation of the speakers’ materials. Prof. Peter explained how the bio-economic value of algae can combat climate change. Not only that, but he also said that many food products can be replaced with algae ingredients without any change in taste.
“Algae can be used as sustainable aircraft fuel, bio compostable plastics, and various sustainable building materials. With the traces of carbon-based materials, various new industries have sprung up of course with various innovations that are sustainable,” explained Prof. Peter.
The activity which was guided by Dr. Yayu Anugrah La Nafie, ST., M.Sc., (Lecturer FIKP Unhas) as moderator followed by approximately 100 participants went smoothly. The participants actively gave responses and questions to the speakers.
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
