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University Lecture and Research Tour entitled "Biodiversity and Oceanography" in Andalas University in Padang, West Sumtera (Photo : Kemenkomarves) - 

VOInews, Padang : Indonesia has been collaborating with OceanX since the end of 2022 to carry out a joint Indonesia-OceanX research expedition or Indonesia Mission 2024 to explore the hidden potential and beauty of Indonesia's oceans.

Not only research, Indonesia also collaborates with OceanX on educational aspects through a series of University Lecture Tours at several universities in Indonesia.

On Monday (24/6/2024), the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment together with Andalas University held a University Lecture and Research Tour entitled "Biodiversity and Oceanography".

Indonesia and OceanX will produce a documentary film resulting from a marine expedition in Indonesia.

Deputy Secretary for Maritime Resources Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Aniza Suspita, explained that 19 percent of Indonesia's waters have been mapped, but they are less explored, especially deep seas, such as the Java Trench with a depth of 7,180 meters, the Flores Sea 5,123 meters, the Sulawesi Sea 6,200 meters, the Buton Trench 4,180 meters, the Arafura Sea 3,680 meters, and the Banda Weber Trench 7,440 meters.

"There are still many Indonesian seas that are deeper than the tallest building in the world (830m) or the location where the Titanic sank (3800m). The deeper it gets, the more challenging it is to explore and understand. "Developing countries, like Indonesia, have limited funds and technology to explore the deep sea," said Secretary Aniza.

The research topics for this joint Indonesia-OceanX expedition include biodiversity, carbon potential, fish stock assessment, earthquake mapping and product innovation.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday (24/06/24), the planned expedition route consists of five legs which will be carried out from May to August 2024. This joint expedition has anchored on Sambu Island, North Sumatra, then continued on to Banda Aceh, and Padang Bayur Harbor, and in the next few days will dock at Tanjung Priok Harbor , Benoa port, Labuan Bajo port, and ending the expedition at Bitung port, Manado.

Apart from carrying out joint expeditions and research, the Indonesian government through the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and OceanX held several University Lecture Tours, including those held at Syiah Kuala University and Andalas University in Padang.

Furthermore, it will be held at the University of Indonesia Jakarta, Bandung Institute of Technology, Udayana University, and Sam Ratulangi University until next August.

Apart from the University Lecture Tour, Indonesia and OceanX have another program, namely the Young Explorer Program (YEP) Indonesia 2024 consisting of 19 Indonesian citizens from various universities who will carry out expeditions in Jakarta-Bali and Labuan Bajo-Bitung.

These 19 Indonesian citizens are around 18-22 years old and come from the University of Indonesia, Bogor Agricultural Institute, Brawijaya University, Gadjah Mada University, Bandung Institute of Technology, Hasanuddin University, Padjadjaran University, Diponegoro University, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Nanyang Technological University, Monash University, Athabasca University. This program will also include 11 students from the United States, Singapore and the Philippines.

From the results of the joint Indonesia-OceanX expedition, it is planned to produce two documentary films as an educational tool. As for the documentary film related to Earthquake: 20 years after the Aceh Tsunami and Indonesia Deep Sea Expedition,

"We will present scientific insights about the beauty of marine biodiversity, as well as megathrusts, volcanoes, earthquakes and various cultural aspects that will be an integral part of "Joint Indonesia-OceanX Expedition Mission," he explained.

Apart from that, Deputy Chancellor IV of Andalas University, Dr. Handmaidi said that through this program Indonesia and OceanX are committed to collaborating with experts, researchers and students to share knowledge, insights and innovative ideas,

"We are very excited to collaborate with OceanX which has breakthrough work in marine exploration and inspires and provide important information to many people around the world about the sea," he said.

For information, the University Lecture and Research Tour public lecture held at Andalas University in Padang on Monday (24/6/2024) presented OceanX Science Program Director Mattie Rodrigue, BRIN representative Dr. Ofri Johan and Taufan Wiguna, Indonesian Conservation Fisheries Scientist Dr. Elle Wibisono.

This event was also attended by the Chair of the LPPM Andalas University, Prof. Dr. Techn. Marzuki and Lantamal II Commander Marine Colonel (P) Mulyadi, as well as the entire community and students of Andalas University//VOI