Ayu Bursts into Tears After Being Announced as Eligible for Doctorate Degree University General

• Posted by: Admin
• Jumat, 8 Agustus 2025
• Has been read 12 time(s)

Denpasar, Wednesday (August 6, 2025), the Doctoral Program in Environmental Science (PDIL) at the Postgraduate of Udayana University (Unud) held the Second Final Examination (Open Defense) with doctoral candidate Ayu Putu Wiweka Krisna Dewi, S.ST. Pi., M.P., held in the Auditorium Hall of the Postgraduate Building at Udayana University. Ayu successfully defended her dissertation titled “The Potential of Macroalgae as Blue Carbon Agents in the Southeastern Waters of Bali Island” before the examiners and academic guests. The doctoral defense was chaired by the Coordinator of the PDIL Postgraduate Unud, Prof. I Wayan Arthana, MS., PhD., with seven examiners: Prof. Dra. Ni Luh Watiniasih, MSc, PhD., Prof. I Wayan Gede Astawa Karang, S.Si, M.Si, PhD., Dr. Pande Gde Sasmita Julyantoro, S.Si., M.Si., Prof. Dr. Ir. I Gede Mahardika, M.S., Prof. Ir. Ida Ayu Astarini, M.Sc. Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Ir. I Made Sudarma, MS., and Dr. Nyoman Dati Pertami, S.P., M.Si., as well as four academic guests, namely Abd. Rahman As-syakur, SP., MSi., PhD., Dr. Ni Made Suartini, S.Si., M.Si., Ni Made Utami Dwipayanti, ST., M.BEnv., PhD., and Dr. Ir. Dwi Budi Wiyanto, S.Kel., MP.

In her presentation, Ayu revealed that macroalgae, as an important component of coastal ecosystems, have high photosynthetic capabilities, enabling them to absorb large amounts of carbon and store it in biomass. Ayu explained that this study aims to determine the carbon storage potential of macroalgae species as blue carbon agents in the waters southeast of Bali. Ayu said that 80 species of macroalgae were found in this study (21 species of green macroalgae, 17 species of brown macroalgae, and 42 species of red macroalgae). The average percentage of macroalgae coverage in the southeastern waters of Bali Island was 73.93%. The spatial distribution of macroalgae in the southeastern waters of Bali generally shows different patterns between open waters and bay waters. The estimated carbon storage of macroalgae in the southeastern waters of Bali Island is 16,834 tons, or 6.4 tons/ha when compared to the area of the southeastern waters of Bali Island. Gracilaria tikvahiae is the species with the highest specific growth rate (7.86%/day) and specific carbon uptake rate (9.02%/day). Ulva rigida is the species with the lowest specific growth rate (1.22%/day) and specific carbon uptake rate (4.03%/day).The development of a strategic model for determining priority species based on growth rates and carbon absorption rates has successfully integrated quantitative and statistical approaches effectively. The priority species that can be developed is Gracilaria tikvahiae, concluded Ayu in her presentation.

At the end of the open defense, Prof. Dra. Ni Luh Watiniasih, MSc., as the supervisor, delivered a speech and commended the candidate's efforts in completing her dissertation amidst the demands of being a lecturer, a housewife, and a community member. Prof. Wati also congratulated the doctoral candidate on officially earning her doctorate degree, as well as her family and the Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries at Udayana University, which has gained another educator with a doctorate degree (DK).