Prof. Dr. Ir. Yusra, M.Si., and Bung Hatta University Students Clean Up the Beach with a Spirit of Conservation

Padang, November 9, 2024 — Driven by a strong commitment to preserving marine ecosystems, Prof. Dr. Ir Yusra, M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science (FPIK) at Universitas Bung Hatta, led a beach clean-up movement involving dozens of students from various cohorts. The activity took place at Air Manis Beach, one of Padang City’s well-known natural destinations in West Sumatra.

🌊 Collaboration Between Academia and the Younger Generation
This beach clean-up initiative was more than just an environmental campaign—it served as a tangible expression of sustainable education emphasizing the importance of marine conservation. Prof. Yusra, who is well-known for his active involvement in marine research and community engagement programs, personally led the clean-up along the coastline.

He emphasized that the ocean is not only a vital source of livelihood for coastal communities but also a fragile ecosystem threatened by plastic waste and other pollutants.

“We cannot merely talk about environmental awareness; we must act. Every piece of plastic we remove from the beach is a step toward saving marine life and sustaining our future,”
stressed Prof. Yusra in his remarks.

Within five hours, the team—comprising 80 students and lecturers—collected over 1.2 tons of waste, including plastic, cardboard, and discarded fishing nets. The collected waste was then sorted and recycled as part of an ongoing environmental education program, which will soon expand to nearby schools.

One student shared their enthusiasm, saying:

“This isn’t just an academic obligation; it’s about civic responsibility. I hope this marks the beginning of a larger movement to protect our oceans.”

This initiative is part of Universitas Bung Hatta’s broader program titled “Clean Beach, Healthy Ocean, Bright Future”, designed to foster environmental awareness among students, faculty, and the wider community. The event is planned to become an annual program, engaging more local communities in collective marine conservation efforts.