Manado, 22 November 2016: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), one of reputable universities of science and research of Marine and Fisheries in Malaysia, conferred the prestigious title of Honorary Doctorate Degree (Doctor Honoris Causa) in Science to Indonesian scientist, Widi A. Pratikto Ph.D, on Saturday, 19 November 2016. The award received is a sign of recognition for his outstanding contributions and achievements that have contributed to the development of sciences (the marine and fisheries sciences), which not only in the country but also at the regional and international levels.
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultanah Nur Zahirah, the Queen of Terengganu, the Chancellor of UMT, directly confers the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Widi at UMT campus, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. With a title that he received, Widi A. Pratikto officially entitled to be the part of UMT family.
Widi A. Praktikto Ph.D, who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a professor in ocean engineering whose works in the field of marine and fisheries’ science and policy for more than three decades.
Other than that, Widi previously occupied various strategic positions in the field of marine, fisheries, and economic cooperation, namely the Director General of Marine, Coastal, and Small Islands for Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Secretary General of the Development 8 (D8), Organization of Economic Cooperation.
The combination of scientific expertise and hands-on experience as government bureaucrat has made the figure of Widi a respected leader in its field. His products of scientific papers, books, and practical case studies at various scientific forums in the country, regional and international, have been produced and utilized for the advancement of marine and fisheries world. His major achievement, including a legal product (Act No. 27, Year 2007 on the Management of Coastal and Small Islands) that was developed during his leadership over the years.
"This title of Doctor Honoris Causa that I received, is my dedication to the advancement of marine and fisheries sciences and technology, especially for the Coral Triangle area," Widi said.
Earlier in the same place, Widi A. Praktikto Ph.D, represented the CTI-CFF has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UMT in the field of marine science research through the capacity building of human resources, research and development, mechanism of cooperation and development, including the information management and programs that will be conducted together for five (5) years, on Wednesday, 16 November 2016.
CTI-CFF has initiated several cooperation with reputable universities in Indonesia, namely the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), 10 Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), and Sam Ratulangi University (UNSRAT). Each university has a strong character and very relevant to the big goals of CTI-CFF.
Prof. Dato 'Dr. Nor Aieni Mokhtar, the Vice Chancellor of the UMT said: "UMT appreciated the figure of Widi A. Pratikto as part of the solution to the world of marine fisheries in the Coral Triangle region, and Malaysia in particular."
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