Universitas Hasanuddin through the Center for Excellence in Seaweed Development and Utilization (PUI-P2RL) welcomed the delegation of Pertamina in order to support the energy transition and decarbonization program proposed by Pertamina toward clean and environmentally friendly energy.
The visit of the Vice President of Downstream Research and Technology Innovation of Pertamina (Andianto Hidayat), was welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation of Unhas (Prof. dr. Muh. Nasrum Massi, Ph.D), accompanied by the Director of Unhas Partnership (Dr. Mahatma Lanuru, M.Sc.,) in Meeting Room A, 4th Floor of the Unhas Rectorate Building, Tamalanrea Campus, Makassar, on Wednesday (8/6).
Several leaders were also present, including the Chairperson of PUI-P2RL Unhas (Kasmiati, Ph.D), Vice Dean for Planning, Finance and Resources of the Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries Unhas (Prof. Dr. Ir. Abdul Haris, M.Si), as well as several representatives of Pertamina Hasanuddin Aircraft Filling Depot (DPPU).
Pertamina and PUI-P2RL Unhas held discussions related to joint collaboration plans for the development of seaweed cultivation and utilization in the Indonesian region.
Prof. dr. Muh. Nasrum Massi, Ph.D., in his speech said that PUI-P2RL Unhas has collaborated with many industrial partners, institutions, and local governments in managing the potential of seaweed resources. According to him, Collaboration with Pertamina will be a great opportunity for Unhas in optimizing the downstream of the seaweed raw material processing industry.
“Pertamina is a strategic partner for Unhas, therefore we hope that this collaboration will strengthen the development of seaweed cultivation from upstream to downstream, as a great potential in the industry of processing raw materials into finished materials that are ready to be marketed,” explained Prof. Nasrum.
On the same occasion, Andianto Hidayat said that Unhas has great potential in the management of seaweed cultivation supported by the presence of the Center for Excellence in Science and Technology for the Development and Utilization of Seaweed (PUI-P2RL). He stated that Pertamina would be ready to collaborate by presenting more efficient methods for optimizing product results that have a broad impact on the economy and people’s welfare.
“We are ready to collaborate in encouraging the added value of seaweed commodities through the downstream of the seaweed processing industry, in order to be able and optimally improve the economic sector of the coastal area,” said Andianto.
Furthermore, Kasmiati, Ph.D., said that PUI-P2RL Unhas is the only center of excellence in the field of seaweed in Indonesia and has succeeded in fostering around 200 seaweed MSMEs, most of which are spread in the coastal areas of Eastern Indonesia.
“Indonesia is the largest seaweed exporter in the world, but in terms of income, it is still low. For this reason, we are still continuing to innovate from the results of the research conducted, one of which is through post-harvest quality processing methods for seaweed that meet quality standards, so that it has a competitive advantage in the international market,” explained the Chairperson of PUI-P2RL.
The main topic being dicussed is the follow-up of the cooperation program that will be carried out. After the dicussion, the delegeations were given an opporutunity to visit the office of PUI-P2RL Unhas.
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor : Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
