Sakura Science Program (SSP) is a Japan-Asia student exchange program in the field of science and technology. The program was established by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in 2014. Since then the program has invited many talented foreign students and young professionals to visit Japan to learn about cutting-edge Japanese science, technology, and culture with Japanese universities or institutions. In addition, this program also aims to promote collaboration, cooperation, and sustainable interaction between Japanese and overseas educational (universities) and research institutions to strengthen diplomatic relations between Japan and other countries including Indonesia.
This year, there is one student, Dinda Lintang Sari (leader) from the Department of Masters in Aquatic Resource Management, and 4 other students from the Department of Aquaculture, Diponegoro University namely Muliana Primadani, Marisa Putri Syabina, Elvira Clara Yanadea, Virdy Mufllih Adyatma had the opportunity to take part in the program for 10 days (19 – 28 November 2024) at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT), Tokyo, Japan.
Furthermore, the Sakura program also collaborated with other participants from Universiti Malaysia Sabah with the theme of the program was about fish disease diagnosis methods consisting of virus isolation in cell culture, PCR, quantitative PCR and IFAT with smear specimens and cryo-section using fish samples infected with Cyprinid Herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) conducted at the fish pathology laboratory, TUMSAT.
On the first and second day of this Sakura program, we were introduced to the campus environment such as student buildings, laboratories and museums on the Tumsat University campus. We performed fish organ preparation for virus isolation and PCR. Next, on day 3 our agenda was the preparation of cell culture for virus isolation and continued with an introductory presentation about the campus and culture of each participating country. On day 4 we visited Miraikan Museum (National Museum of Science and Technology) and Tokyo Sea Life Park (Seabed Aquarium).
Day 6 and 7 we continued the agenda in the laboratory, namely PCR amplification, electrophoresis, making cryo sections and IFAT. Furthermore, on day 8 we were allowed to visit research institutions in Tateyama, Chiba and Umihotaru in the Tokyo Bay area. Umi hotaru is one of the amazing places in Japan because it is a highway rest area located in the middle of the sea, between Tokyo Bay and Chiba, Japan. It is the only highway rest area in the world that is in the sea.Day 9, we continued our laboratory agenda by observing inoculated cells and final presentation from each country regarding the 10-day trip report in Japan. During the trip Sakura Program between countries also visited several tourist attractions in Tokyo and exchanged ideas about each other’s culture. The Sakura Science Program trip was closed with the submission of the Certificate of Achievement by Sakura Program, JST to each participant by representatives of the program organizers. Our trip in Japan officially ended on the 10th day where we returned home with a morning departure from Haneda International Airport, Tokyo to Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Jakarta.
We are very grateful to be able to participate in this Sakura Program 2024 activity, we can get a lot of experience and knowledge in the field of science and technology, especially about fish diseases. In addition, we can also add new friends from various countries and get to know the new culture in each countries. It is hoped that through this, a sustainable relationship between Japan and other countries can be established in the future. The Sakura Program was a very amazing and unforgettable experience. Thank you Sakura Program 2024 and TUMSAT University (Dinda Lintang Sari, Master of Aquatic Resource Management 2022)
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