Throughout the internship, the students received guidance from SEAFDEC/IFRDMD supervisors and were introduced to the Center’s activities and regional initiatives. This experience enabled them to connect concepts learned in International Relations with practical issues in the fisheries sector, particularly the roles of regional organizations, international cooperation, communication, information dissemination, gender mainstreaming, and sustainable development.
As part of the completion of the internship program, the students presented the outcomes of their respective projects during a Final Presentation Session organized by SEAFDEC/IFRDMD. The session was conducted in a hybrid format and attended by the Chief of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD, Dr. Maulana Firdaus, Ph.D.; the Deputy Chief of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD, Mr. Toru Shimoda; SEAFDEC/IFRDMD researchers and staff members; as well as two academic supervisors from the International Relations Study Program at Universitas Sriwijaya, Ms. Larassita Damayanti and Mr. Bagaskara Sagita Wijaya.
During the session, the students presented six projects addressing various dimensions of regional fisheries cooperation and the role of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD. The projects covered topics related to regional cooperation and program funding, strategic issues in small-scale inland fisheries, blue economy implementation, research dissemination strategies, gender mainstreaming and SDG 5, as well as digital communication and information management.
To support their respective studies, the students collected primary data through direct interviews with SEAFDEC/IFRDMD staff and, where relevant, through online questionnaires using Google Forms. The questionnaires were distributed to respondents from SEAFDEC Member Countries and staff from other SEAFDEC departments. Through these activities, the students were able to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting by conducting interviews, developing questionnaires, communicating with respondents from different institutional and national backgrounds, and collecting information relevant to regional fisheries cooperation.
The data collection process also provided an opportunity for the students to strengthen their research and communication skills in an international working environment. By engaging directly with SEAFDEC personnel and regional stakeholders, they gained practical experience in communicating across institutional and national contexts and learned how different perspectives, information, and regional priorities can be gathered and incorporated into the analysis of regional issues. This experience was particularly relevant to their International Relations studies, as it allowed them to apply communication, research, and stakeholder engagement skills beyond the classroom.
The presentations were followed by an interactive discussion in which SEAFDEC/IFRDMD personnel and academic supervisors provided constructive comments, recommendations, and perspectives on the students’ work. The discussion provided an additional learning opportunity for the students to refine their analyses and strengthen their understanding of regional fisheries issues and the practical roles of regional and international organizations.
Beyond fulfilling their academic requirements, the internship provided the students with valuable exposure to the practical dimensions of regional cooperation in the fisheries sector. Their direct engagement with SEAFDEC/IFRDMD activities helped them better understand how a regional organization facilitates knowledge exchange, coordinates cooperation among Member Countries, communicates regional priorities, and contributes to sustainable fisheries development in Southeast Asia.
The program concluded with expressions of appreciation from both SEAFDEC/IFRDMD and Universitas Sriwijaya. The internship demonstrated the value of collaboration between regional organizations and academic institutions in enriching students’ knowledge, strengthening their research, communication, and professional competencies, and providing practical exposure to international and regional cooperation.
Through this mentorship, SEAFDEC/IFRDMD not only provided a valuable learning platform for the students but also contributed to preparing young professionals with a broader understanding of regional cooperation, sustainable development, and the important role of fisheries in Southeast Asia.