Prominent Universities from Coral Triangle and Australia Develop 2017-2018 Program Workplan for CTI-CFF University Partnership

PRESS RELEASE

Prominent Universities from Coral Triangle and Australia Develop 2017-2018 Program Workplan for CTI-CFF University Partnership

# Manado, the capital city of Coral Triangle, convenes members of CTI-CFF University Partnership Workshop to develop the 2017-2018 workplan – from 7-8 August 2017.

# The main workplan focuses on: capacity building, research, and outreach.

Manado, 8 August 2017 – The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat organized the CTI-CFF University Partnership Workshop on Program Development 2017–2018, focusing on capacity building, research, and outreach, including funding mechanisms.

Fifteen prominent universities on Marine and Fisheries sciences from 6 Coral Triangle (CT6) countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste), including 2 from Australia, actively participated in developing the programs.

The workplan is expected to serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, skills development, and collaboration on marine conservation and global environmental issues among CT6 member universities.

Widi A. Pratikto, Ph.D., Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, said: “The formats of applicative programs resulting from this 2-day workshop are expected to become main references for all science-based activities and engagements of member universities of the CTI-CFF University Partnership for 2017-2018.”

The workshop is a follow-up from the 1st CTI-CFF University Partnership Meeting, 28 February – 1 March 2017, which highlighted a collective spirit in safeguarding the Coral Triangle region, particularly in marine and fisheries sciences.

During the event, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL), bringing the CTI-CFF University Partnership to 10 official members since its establishment one year ago.

Prof. Grevo Gerung, Coordinator of CTI-CFF University Partnership and Dean of Marine and Fisheries Faculty at Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Manado, said: “Capacity building programs being developed include the Special Assistance Program (SAP) for Timor-Leste, the establishment of an International Master’s Class on Coral Triangle Ecosystem Governance, and regional training programs on climate change.”

YBrs. Prof. Madya Dr. Ramzah Dambul, Deputy Secretary of Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) / Science and Technology Ministry – Malaysia, Chair of the CTI-CFF University Partnership, stated: “The CTI-CFF University Partnership is the first inter-university cooperation in the Coral Triangle region. Programs from the workshop will benefit marine conservation efforts, knowledge and best practices exchange, and skill improvement among CT6 member countries.”

The workshop demonstrates that universities are centers of science and skill development that benefit society. In the future, the partnership is expected to be a reliable platform for science and capacity building.

Some prominent universities from CT6 member countries attended the event in Manado:

• Indonesia: IPB – Bogor; ITS – Surabaya; Unhas – Makassar; Unsrat – Manado; Unpad – Bandung; STP – Jakarta; Politeknik Kelautan dan Perikanan, Bitung
• Malaysia: UMT, UMS
• Papua New Guinea: UPNG
• Solomon Islands: SINU
• Timor-Leste: UNTL, UNITAL
• Australia: James Cook University (JCU), Queensland University (QU)

Six representatives from the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) of CT6 also actively participated, including representatives from Education and Culture Attaché of Indonesia for Timor-Leste, CReSOS University of Udayana – Bali, Project Initiation Specialist ADB, and Sulu Sulawesi Coordinator of GIZ.

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About CTI-CFF

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership of six countries working together to preserve marine resources and coastal areas. It focuses on food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity. Established at the Leaders’ Summit in 2009, CTI-CFF adopted the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) divided into working groups addressing seascape management, ecosystem-based fisheries, marine protected areas, climate change adaptation, and endangered species management.

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Media Contact:

Andie Wibianto
Information and Communication Manager
CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat
Email: andiewibi@cticff.org
Mobile: +62 856 7653 939