Balqis Feby Sausan Syadza, a 2021 Biotechnology student at Diponegoro University, successfully completed a research internship at the Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), under the joint supervision of Dr. Shumpei Iehata and Dr.rer.nat. Anto Budiharjo, S.Si., M.Biotech. The internship formed an integral part of her undergraduate thesis project, titled “Isolation and Identification of Thraustochytrids Collected from Mangrove Leaves and Sediments at Setiu Wetland, Malaysia.”
Her research focused on isolating and identifying Thraustochytrids, a group of marine heterotrophic protists with significant potential for biotechnological applications such as biofuel production, omega-3 fatty acids, and other high-value metabolites. Environmental samples were collected from the Setiu Wetlands, one of Malaysia’s most biodiverse mangrove ecosystems, known for its ecological richness and conservation importance.
Through this project, Balqis gained valuable hands-on experience in microbial isolation, molecular identification techniques, and ecological sampling methods. Beyond the technical skills, the international internship enriched her academic journey by exposing her to cross-cultural collaboration, global research practices, and the dynamics of working within an international scientific community.
This research internship was conducted under Diponegoro University’s World Class University (WCU) program through the Students Go International scheme, which is designed to foster international academic collaboration and enhance global exposure for UNDIP students.
This achievement highlights the growing opportunities for Biotechnology students at Diponegoro University to engage in international research, strengthen academic networks, and contribute to the advancement of sustainable biotechnological innovations.
