SEMARANG – Training Program and Competency Certification are included as performance targets set by Undip as Legal Entity State Universities with a target for Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan/FPIK) around 20% of graduates. Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences has made various efforts to establish cooperation with domestic and foreign parties.
Lectures, training and Expertise Diving certification activities held by Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences UNDIP in Karimunjawa Islands, Jepara, have been initiated since 2016 through collaboration with Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU) Japan and it has been quite popular. Apart from foreign students, the general public is also interested in participating in this certified training. Initially, expertise diving training is held to support the competences of Marine Science Study Program students, one of the competences is diving.
In addition to diving certification, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Undip has also held BNSP competency certification, which is related to assessment of coral reef conditions in 2019, in collaboration with the Professional Certification Institute (Lembaga Sertifikasi Profesi) of Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) of Oceanography. Currently, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Undip also has a number of assessors related to these competencies. In 2021, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Undip will continue to collaborate with Indonesian Institute of Sciences for a competency test in assessing the condition of coral reefs, mangroves, reef fish, megabenthos and seagrass. By equalizing the content of learning courses in the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Undip environment with competency test modules/materials, it will be easier for non-experiential certification participants to take competency certification. Equalizing course materials and competency test materials will also be carried out in collaboration with other institutes, such as Marine and Fisheries Professional Certification Institute so it will bring efficiency both in terms of time and cost. Through this program, it is expected to provide great benefits for the community, students and Undip in improving the quality of human resources in Indonesia.
Dean of Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Undip, Prof. Ir. Tri Winarni Agustini, M.Sc., Ph.D, revealed that to answer high interests in marine science study program, since 2016 a certified diving training program for the public has been created. Hopefully in the near future we can realize the collaboration with Indonesian Institute of Sciences to carry out competency certification. It is conducted as the result of equalizing course curriculum with competency test module so that those can be more efficient. It is hoped that this program will bring great benefit to students in obtaining a companion certificate. We also open opportunities for students outside the study program and faculties and even universities.
Participants of this training and certification program are guided by reliable instructors (certified professional divers) as well as legally recognized assessors. For foreign students, the implementation time is adjusted to the summer vacation. “For the expertise diving program, the “Introduction to Scientific Diving Program” which takes place every year, has produced dozens of SCUBA Diver who have the ability and knowing of the environment and marine biota, and contribute to the improvement of coral reefs,” said Prof. Tri Winarni, on Thursday (11/3 / 2021).
She added that over time, this program could later be developed into an ecotourism package model with Karimunjawa and Semarang tourism sites and its surroundings. Moreover the diving training program is offered to students and other young people who are interested in underwater exploration of Karimunjawa. “However, due to Covid-19 pandemic, this program has been temporarily closed. Meanwhile, for Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Undip students, diving certification continues to comply with health protocols,” she explained.
For 2021, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Undip considers the implementation of certification in collaboration with Indonesian Institute of Sciences, while the implementation of expertise diving certification is still in consideration. The faculty leadership considers input from various parties, as well as directions from university leaders regarding whether or not this program can be implemented for foreign students and general public. These are done since there are many regulations that have to be fulfilled, especially if it involves foreign students.
Moreover for expertise diving certification, the number of participants for each batch is limited to maximum of 25 people. This policy adjusts to the number of existing dive trainers. Therefore, if the enthusiast exceeds the quota, several package trips will be made.
Being asked about the amount of cost for the participants, Tri Winarni said that it is still affordable. The costs are allocated for accommodation for participants during the program. “It is very affordable, and even cheaper when compared to other similar programs,” she stated.
