Sustainable Island Development Initiatives
As a tangible form of development and tangible form of university cooperation with various parties, Faculty of Marine Technology (FTK) Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya formed Sustainable Island Development Initiatives (SIDI) program.
SIDI was established on 10th of November 2012, marked by collaboration agreement between ITS, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Regent of Berau (East Kalimantan) and Wismar University of Applied Sciences (Germany). Through SIDI, ITS has been appointed by the ministry to "adopt" two islands, Poteran Island (Sumenep Regency) and Maratua Island (Berau Regency).
The purpose of program is for the devel- opment and empowerment of small islands in Indonesia, both for concept development of education and research and hands-on activi- ties involving academia, students, research- ers, government, industries and other mari- time actors.
This activity, at the early stage, leads to the development of two adopted Islands, with each focus:
- Maratua Island: tourism development
- Poteran Island: development of agrobased industries
This program involves:
1. Ministry of Marine Affairs & Fisheries
2. Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany
3. Government of Berau Regency
4. Government of Sumenep Regency
5. ITS Research.Centres
6. ITS students
7. Industry parteners
8. University partners
SIDI has a target to contribute for the development of the concept of sustainability for small islands. In order to achieve that objective, SIDI serves as an umbrella that covers a variety of research and implementa- tion of multi-disciplinary activities, because there are many aspects which need to be considered in the development of small islands, ranging from energy, economic, environmental, social, to educational problems.
In Poteran Island, the main focus is the study of tropical herbal extracts that can later be used for medical products, nutritions, cosmetics, and biomass.
On the other hand, Maratua which is located in the country border at the Celebes Sea is a marine tourism area. Efforts to realize the potential utilization of island marine tourism will eventually consider the environ- mental and social side which is a key issue in the development of the island.