24 June 2026 – The Institute of Bioscience (IBS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), welcomed a delegation of students and lecturers from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Indonesia, as part of a two-day Student Mobility Programme held from 23 to 24 June 2026.

The programme aimed to strengthen academic ties and collaborative networks between the two institutions while providing participants with exposure to UPM’s research facilities, latest technologies, and advancements in aquaculture and biosciences.

On the first day, the UNAIR delegation was received at the IBS lobby before attending a welcoming session delivered by the Deputy Director of IBS at the Kesidang Meeting Room. The session also included a briefing on the objectives and activities planned throughout the mobility programme.

Participants were subsequently taken on a tour of several key research facilities at IBS, including the Biodiversity Unit (UBD), the Universiti Putra Malaysia Microbial Culture Collection (UPM-MCC), and the Aquatic Animal Health and Therapeutics Laboratory (AquaHealth). The visits provided valuable insights into the functions and roles of these facilities in supporting research activities and advancing life sciences at UPM.

In the afternoon, participants engaged in a series of interactive activities at the AquaHealth Laboratory. These included a fish anatomy puzzle challenge, a Kahoot quiz on fish biology and health, and a basic bacterial identification simulation using biochemical methods. The activities offered hands-on learning experiences and enhanced students’ understanding of fish anatomy, fundamental laboratory diagnostic techniques, and aquatic animal health management.

The second day of the programme featured a special lecture on aquaculture biotechnology delivered by Prof. Dr. Ina Salwany Md Yasin from the Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture. The session provided an excellent platform for knowledge sharing and academic discussions on the latest biotechnological innovations in the aquaculture industry.

The delegation also participated in a campus tour before attending a practical session on biofloc systems and water quality monitoring at the IBS Hatchery Unit. Participants were further introduced to advanced scientific research facilities through a visit to the Electron Microscopy (EM) Unit, where they observed high-resolution imaging technologies used across various scientific disciplines.

The programme concluded with a closing ceremony officiated by the Deputy Director of IBS, who expressed appreciation to the UNAIR delegation for their active participation and highlighted the importance of sustaining collaborative initiatives between the two institutions. The ceremony also featured remarks by a student representative from UNAIR, a question-and-answer session, certificate presentation, and a group photography session.

The mobility programme served as an important platform for fostering international engagement, expanding knowledge exchange, and enriching the global learning experience of students and academics from both institutions.

Date of Input: 25/06/2026 | Updated: 25/06/2026 | azah