Yogyakarta, 21 August 2024 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada received a visit from Professor from Kyushu University Japan, Prof. Noritaka Mochioka. The visit was received in the KPTU Meeting Room, Faculty of Biology UGM by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, as well as Lecturers from the Animal Development Structure Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Nur Indah Septriani, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Zuliyati Rohmah, Ph.D.
This visit is the second time Prof. Noritaka Mochioka visited the Faculty of Biology UGM after 2017. He was also present as a guest lecturer on several previous occasions. During this visit, Prof. Noritaka Mochioka expressed his enthusiasm for developing research related to eel with Nur Indah Septriani, Ph.D. who is also a graduate of Kyushu University, Japan.
Dr. Eko welcomed Prof. Noritaka Mochioka. During the visit, various cooperation initiatives were presented that could be collaborated with Kyushu University, including student exchanges up to double degrees. Previously, the Faculty of Biology UGM also established good cooperation with a student exchange scheme through the Sakura Science Program with Yamagata University, Japan.
Prof. Noritaka Mochioka also had the opportunity to give a public lecture, taking place in the Tropical Biology Auditorium, UGM Faculty of Biology, moderated by Nur Indah Septriani, Ph.D. He delivered a public lecture entitled “Life History and Conservation of Freshwater Eel”. Dr. Eko as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, was also present to give an introductory speech at the public lecture.
Prof. Noritaka Mochioka started the lecture by explaining how marine products have become an important commodity for Japanese community. Both marine products that are commonly consumed and those that are less common, such as pufferfish, are processed to make them suitable for consumption. He focuses his research on eel or eel or what is commonly known as unagi. Prof. Noritaka Mochioka highlighted the diversity, distribution of eels in Japan and the world and their high nutritional quality, but the price is not yet affordable. He focuses on developing eels that are highly nutritious but can be reached by the wider community.
The public lecture was followed by a question-and-answer session. Participants were very enthusiastic about attending the lecture and were interested in learning about eels. It is hoped that this public lecture can become a forum for inspiration for collaboration as well as strengthening collaborative relations, especially between the Faculty of Biology UGM and Kyushu University Japan in the future, in line with the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals for increasing inclusive education and expanding cooperation (SDG 4 and 17) at the same time. contribution to the preservation of marine ecosystems (SDG 14) and the development of functional food that is affordable for communities (SDG 12).