UNAIR NEWS – The Airlangga Fisheries Team from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) brought home two awards at the 2025 Hasanuddin Research Festival (HARFEST). The competition, hosted by the Student Research Center (PRIMA) of Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin State Islamic University (UIN) Banten, took place from Friday to Sunday (Nov. 7–9, 2025) in Banten, West Java. Team members Chelsea Hani Marcelia Sundawa, Yuniar Kurniasari, and Fasya Yestia Wibowo earned the Gold Medal for Best Presentation and the Favorite Poster Award.
Nanotechnology for clean water and strong collaborative workflow
Chelsea Hani Marcelia Sundawa shared that the project emerged from her desire to create a modern, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly solution to the clean-water crisis through nanotechnology. “We chose nanotechnology because it operates at an extremely small scale, allowing it to filter particles more effectively and improve overall water quality,” she said.
During the project, the team adopted a collaborative system with each member taking on responsibilities that aligned with their strengths. “Every team member had a specific role, from writing the manuscript to delivering the presentation. We held weekly meetings and communicated through a group chat to monitor progress. Our schedule was flexible but disciplined enough to ensure our academic commitments stayed on track,” she added.
Team unity and technological advantages drive their success
According to Yuniar Kurniasari, the team faced moments that tested both their confidence and cohesion. “Watching other teams present made us anxious and doubtful at first. But those moments taught us to support each other and stay united until the end, and the final results truly reflected our hard work,” she said.
The students also benefited from strong guidance from their academic advisor throughout the preparation period. “The faculty also supported us by providing funding to cover competition needs,” she added.
She noted that their success was largely driven by the merits of their membrane nanofiltration technology, which is energy-efficient, capable of removing harmful contaminants, environmentally friendly, and easy to implement in many regions, particularly in 3T areas (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost). “Our innovation directly responds to the global clean-water crisis and supports SDG 6, which promotes universal access to clean water and proper sanitation,” she explained.
Developing skills and potential through competition
Fasya Yestia Wibowo stated that the competition offered important academic and personal lessons. “It strengthened our technical knowledge and our ability to design innovative solutions for global issues. It also built our confidence, creativity in presenting ideas, and motivation to keep contributing positively to society and the environment,” she said.
She emphasized that participating in competitions is a valuable opportunity for students to develop their potential and teamwork skills, helping shape resilient and innovative young leaders. “We hope this achievement inspires other UNAIR students to step forward, innovate, and continue striving for meaningful accomplishments,” she concluded.
Author: Bethari Sri Indrajayanti
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
