ATSEA and Nusa Cendana University (UNDANA) have formalised a new partnership to strengthen dugong and seagrass conservation in East Nusa Tenggara through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). Signed on 22 June 2026, the agreements establish a framework for long-term collaboration in research, academic exchange, capacity building, and conservation initiatives under the Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Initiative (DSCI), with an initial focus on Rote Ndao. The initiative is funded by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, with support from Mubadala.
The partnership builds on a series of discussions initiated in March 2026, including a courtesy meeting held in Kupang on 20 April 2026, where ATSEA and UNDANA explored opportunities to combine regional collaboration with the university’s scientific expertise and local knowledge to support dugong and seagrass conservation. During the meeting, UNDANA expressed strong institutional support for the initiative and highlighted its laboratory facilities, research capacity, and commitment to contributing to education, research, and community-based activities in East Nusa Tenggara.
Discussions also highlighted UNDANA’s long-standing experience in seagrass research since 2017, including collaborations with government agencies, research institutions, and non-government organisations. The university’s existing expertise in seagrass research and genetic analysis, together with its ongoing community programmes in Rote Ndao, provides a strong foundation for implementing conservation activities and engaging students and researchers in the initiative.
The MoU was signed between ATSEA and Rector of the UNDANA, while the MoA was signed with the Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Marine Affairs and Fisheries to support the implementation of collaborative activities under DSCI.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ATSEA Interim Executive Director Dr Handoko Adi Susanto highlighted three priority areas for the collaboration. The first focuses on conducting baseline assessments of dugong and seagrass conditions in Rote Ndao, including research on genetic connectivity. The second aims to strengthen awareness raising and capacity building through community outreach, training, and student engagement to support local participation in dugong conservation. The third supports the development of conservation policies while bringing together ATSEA, Universitas Nusa Cendana, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional/BRIN) to co-organise an international symposium on seagrass conservation in 2027.
“The collaboration reflects our shared commitment to building a stronger scientific foundation for dugong and seagrass conservation while working closely with local institutions and communities,” said Dr Susanto.
Universitas Nusa Cendana Rector Prof. Jefri S. Bale welcomed the partnership, noting that it aligns closely with the university’s mission in education, research, and community service. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate and looked forward to translating the partnership into meaningful research, learning opportunities, and conservation action in East Nusa Tenggara.
Through this partnership, ATSEA and UNDANA will work together to strengthen the scientific foundation for dugong and seagrass conservation while supporting local capacity, research, and community participation in Rote Ndao. By combining regional collaboration with local expertise, the partnership aims to contribute to the long-term conservation of marine ecosystems and the coastal communities that depend on them.
By Ismail Syakurachman and Yulia Dewi