UNAIR NEWS – The academic community of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again demonstrated its excellence on the international stage. This time, it was the work of lecturer from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Prof. Dr. Retna Apsari MSi, who won the Best Community Engagement Project award at the International Conference on Academic-Community Engagement (InACE). The event took place on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and Wednesday, August 30, 2023, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In an interview, Prof. Retna said that she was carrying out a project called Solar Dryer Dome as One of Solutions of Applicable Technology for Fisherman Community in Pengudang Village, Teluk Sebong District, Bintan Regency.
Prof. Retna conveyed her team consisting of three FTMM UNAIR lecturers. They are Rizki Putra Prasetyo SSi MT, Prisma Mengantoro SSi MT, and Yoga Uta Nugraha ST MT. Also, two lecturers at the Faculty of Engineering, Raja Ali Haji Maritime University (UMRAH), Anton Hexso Yunianto ST MSi and Tonny Suhendra ST MCs. Students of FTMM and FT UMRAH were also involved in this project.
Fish dryer equipment
Prof. Retna’s team’s project is a tool for drying fish caught from the sea that utilizes heat from sunlight. The box–shaped tool produces steam, which is channeled out by a fan in the device. The solar dryer dome also has a 300 W solar panel to power the fan.
“With this tool, fishermen do not need to worry about their catch getting wet if it rains, and it is also protected from insects. So, product hygiene is well-maintained,” said Prof Retna in an interview with UNAIR NEWS.
“Furthermore, this tool also implements the use of renewable energy as a substitute for fossil fuels,” she added.
Although the availability of components for making tools is limited, the team has to look for other alternatives. Instead of giving up, the team that Prof. Retna led succeeded in winning the Best Community Engagement Project Award. Prof. Retna was happy with the idea of her team getting an A in the field of international-scale community development.
“This tool is a contribution of FTMM working on answers to SDGs challenges, especially SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 13 (Climate Action). I hope this tool will be able to make the fish drying process more efficient,” Prof. Retna expressed her hopes for the technological innovation created by her team.
“With good communication with fishermen, this product can be maximized to become an appropriate product that is more efficient and effective, especially for Bintan Island fishermen and other fishermen in Indonesia,” said Prof Retna at the end of the interview session. (*)
Author: Aidatul Fitriyah
Editor: Binti Q Masruroh
