Mataram, University of Mataram – The Rector of University of Mataram warmly welcomed the visit of the deputy director of the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), Prof. Duan Delin, Ph.D,. in the Rector’s Living room on Monday (24/7). The visit was in order to establish cooperation in the realm of research related to the use and the application of biotechnology and biomedical seaweed.

The collaboration between Unram and IOCAS also involves other universities, namely University Malaya (UM) and University of the Philippines (UP). The collaboration will focus on the field of research related to the use and the application of biotechnology and biomedical seaweed, as well as capacity building of Unram students and employees through joint workshops and student/staff attachments.

Prof. Duan admitted that Unram was the best choice in carrying out this cooperation.  “Unram is in a strategic position, namely in the Lesser Sunda region and the Coral Triangle area,” he said.

Coral Triangle is a marine area with high biodiversity, so NTB, especially Lombok, has seaweed biodiversity and also other marine life that is very rich and has not been utilized its potential.

IOCAS Deputy Director was accompanied by Eka Sunarwidhi Prasedya, PhD., as Principle Investigator (PI) Indonesia hopes that the cooperation can increase the value of marine products, not only seaweed but also other marine life.

“We also hope that the community will get more income from this cooperation, not just selling raw materials,” he explained.

The research consortium includes PUI Biosciences and Biotechnology UNRAM (PUBB-UNRAM), Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences University of Malaya (UMIOES), and Marine Science Institute University of Philippines (UPMSI).