The Faculty of Food Security (FKP) at Surabaya State University (Unesa), through its Aquaculture Bachelor's Degree Program and the Aquaculture Student Association (HIMAKUA), successfully organized Aqua Nexus 2026. Held at the Lidah Wetan Campus 3 Auditorium, this inaugural event carried the theme “Connecting Science, Nature, and Innovation” as a bridge to introduce the technology-based fisheries sector to the younger generation.
Vice Dean I of FKP Unesa, Isnawati, explained that the event was attended by representatives from 21 senior high schools across East Java. The presence of students at this seminar and exhibition is expected to foster interest in aquaculture while highlighting FKP's role in supporting the national food sovereignty agenda by developing competent human resources.
During the discussion session, a lecturer from the Sidoarjo Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, Mohsan Abrori, emphasized the importance of research downstreaming to support five national priority commodities: shrimp, tilapia, seaweed, crab, and lobster. He encouraged students to integrate technology into aquaculture, including the implementation of urban farming systems that allow fisheries activities to take place even on limited land.
In addition to the seminar, participants were invited to tour the Aquaculture Expo, which showcased more than 90 educational posters and practical innovations created by students. One of the main highlights was AquaFarm, an integrated farming system combining aquaponics and hydroponics. This innovation offered students a fresh perspective on how fish farming can have a positive environmental impact, including utilizing aquaculture waste as plant nutrients.
Coordinator of Unesa's Aquaculture Bachelor's Degree Program, Reni Ambarwati, added that the program's curriculum now integrates science with artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Through Aqua Nexus, Unesa aims not only to showcase student work starting from their early semesters, but also to establish this event as an annual fixture that fosters creativity and expands collaboration in the future fisheries industry.
