Marine Ecology Special Training Course (MEST) is a 8-weeks training course at Hasanuddin University. The course is a training program for undergraduate and graduated students, who want to enrich their skills and knowledge in tropical marine ecology. This international teaching program is supported by the Center for Coral Reef Research, the Center for Tropical Marine Ecology Bremen (ZMT), the Alfred-Wegener-Institute Bremerhaven (AWI) the Institute of Wallacea Indonesia, and AIMS Australia. The MEST course aims to train students in tropical marine ecology & marine socio-ecology by using an international teaching standard, and to teach especially different research methodologies. The participants can use the oppourtunity to prepare themselves for teaching positions in universities, to obtain scholarships or to work in governmental institutions that relate to marine and fisheries sciences.
Background: Acknowledging the necessity to support education and training through the development of special training programs using international teaching standards within Indonesia, and expanding the bilateral research program of SPICE (Science for the Protection of Indonesia Coastal Marine Ecosystems) between the governments of Indonesia and Germany, the Center of Coral Reef Ecosystems at UNHAS university implemented a special training course in tropical marine ecology. The course concept follows the MST that was developed at the Bogor Agricultural University with financial support by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Both programs aim to provide an international teaching atmosphere within Indonesia, particularly in eastern Indonesia for MEST, as well as to provide the urgently needed human resources not only for universities but also for all kind of other stakeholders involved within the marine sector.
Course Contents (MEST-2005-2006).During the MEST course, the students have theoretical classes and laboratory and field practicals. For field practical activities, the MEST provides laboratory expenses as well as housing and transport. There many different topics presented by German and Indonesian lecturers such as Ocean Dynamics & Ecosystem Interaction, Plankton Ecology & Productivity, Coral Reef Ecosystem & Associated Biota, Seagrass Ecosystem and Macroalgae, Mangrove Ecosystem & Rehabilitation, Reef Fish Ecology, Taxonomy of Corals, Fish, Invertebrates, Seagrass & Macrophytes; Marine Resources Planning and Management, and Scientific Writing and communication. The lectures come from several universities in Indonesia and Germany and also from international NGOs. The course language is English in order to train the participants and to practice their English.
Preliminary results(MEST-2005-2006).The training was assessed very successfully by the lecturers and students alike. The course prepared them for a better position in the international world of marine science. The SPICE program significantly contributed to improve the quality of the Indonesian human resources. The role of the Hassanuddin University as a leading and coordinating state university in marine science in Eastern Indonesia is strengthened. This in turn will help enhace the overall capacity building in marine science higher education in Indonesia.
