[Unpad.ac.id, 05/11/2012] The experience during the study is an important thing to be owned by a lecturer. Not only because it is needed for the enrichment of scientific knowledge that involved, but also because the experience itself will be a valuable preparation that will be passed on to students. As it is said that experience is the best teacher, so literature is not enough only to understand the particular science. That is what is believed by Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Otong Suhara Djunaedi , M.S., for many years devoted himself become a lecturer at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) Unpad in the study of Natural Resource Management (SDA) and the Environment.
His journey to seek the experience had begun since 1974, right after the young Otong earned a degree from the Faculty of Agriculture Unpad, Department of Fisheries. Since then, Otong has been heavily involved in both research projects which were the result of cooperation within this country and abroad. Then he enriched his knowledge in the field of Natural Resources and Environmental Management with a master’s degree in 1983 and doctorate in 1991, both of which were obtained from the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB).
“The experiences I have gained during the research are very useful in adding my scientific insights, especially in the teaching because the students not only need literature. Teacher’s experience is necessary and must be transmitted to the students,” said Otong who now is serving as Head of Resources Management and Water Environment Laboratory (MPSL) FPIK Unpad.
In 2003, Otong was inaugurated as Professor of Water Resources Management in FPIK Unpad. Not only teaching, but also Otong is active in writing the papers and attending seminars. As one of his books is about the Water Resources – Potential, Problems and Management, published in 2011. Because of his expertise in these fields, he is trusted to serve as Chairman of the Association of Environmental Contractors Indonesia (Aktali) region of West Java, and currently is holding a position as staff experts Watershed Expert Council Forum Citarum West Java.
“I am pleased with marine resources. I think this field is very important because the management of resources, especially in the watershed will be able to determine the quality and quantity of water,” he explained.
Otong admitted that as a person who is engaged in the fishery, including the student in this case, need to be aware of the issue because of it is where the water needed from the fisheries come. Especially now the conditions of watersheds in Indonesia has been critical and indirectly affected the sustainability of the fisheries.
“Water is a major requirement for the fishery because it is capital of the production, but many of us do not realize the importance of managing water resources. As a result, we are now forced to accept less and polluted water as well. That is the problem we have now and I have focused on the issue, “ said the man who was born in Bandung, 14 March 1945.
Otong underlined that the issue of watershed and water resources are complex, but basically the problem came from the human themselves. Therefore, we need a unified management model where all the party are concerned in it, such as through a “non-governmental” forum which is more freely and not rigid. But after this forum there was still another problem, namely at the level of the program implementation. Ego sector and reluctance in dividing the budget are included in the obstacles.
“If the forum is still hampered, the Ministry of Home Affairs could be the department leader as integrated in this case is not only the institution, but also including programs, funding, and implementation of course,” continued Otong.
Amidst the critical issue, Otong still never gives up to hope the sustainability of the fisheries. He believes that students in the fields of fisheries, particularly in FPIK Unpad can overcome it, of course with a good understanding of the importance of watershed and water resource so that the resource in our country, Indonesia, is not just a mere false pride.
“A student should understand about the fishery resources, both characteristics and consequences of the usage so that the pride of Indonesia’s natural wealth is not a false pride after knowing the fact that many of our marine resources have been polluted and degraded. Moreover, if we mismanaged, it could actually harm ourselves,” he concluded. *
Malikkul Shaleh/mar
