Singapore, April 8–12, 2025 — Two lecturers from the Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Diponegoro University (UNDIP), Dr. Rully Rahadian and Dr. Ni Kadek Dita Cahyani, conducted an academic visit to the National University of Singapore (NUS). This visit is part of the International Collaboration Program funded by the World Class University (WCU) scheme of FSM UNDIP and continues a joint research project entitled “Marine Biodiversity Survey of Southeast Asia”, involving Dr. Ni Kadek Dita Cahyani and Dr. Danwei Huang from NUS.
This collaboration brings together FSM UNDIP and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM), NUS, for a three-year partnership (2024–2027), formally established through a Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA).
The visit began with a meeting at the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, NUS, featuring in-depth discussions on research methods to be implemented at UNDIP. One of the key points discussed was the application of Third Generation Sequencing technology for more comprehensive molecular biodiversity identification.
On the second day, the FSM UNDIP team participated in a field monitoring activity conducted aboard a research vessel. They assisted in checking the Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structure (ARMS), a marine biodiversity monitoring device resembling a “mini condominium” deployed underwater for a certain period. Similar ARMS units are planned to be installed in Karimunjawa National Park as part of a comparative study between Singapore and Indonesia.
On the final day, the visit continued to the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. The purpose of this visit was to learn about biodiversity collection management, supporting the efforts of the Ecology and Biosystematics Laboratory at FSM UNDIP to develop a reference laboratory for natural resource data in Central Java. The laboratory aims to curate biodiversity collections in the form of preserved specimens, as well as digital morphological and molecular databases.
This activity not only strengthens international networking but also serves as a valuable learning opportunity for enhancing research capacity at FSM UNDIP. The collaboration will continue with field activities, including ARMS deployment and the organization of a Summer Course to be held on May 9–14, 2025, in Karimunjawa National Park.
