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. 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 Postgraduate Masters in Aquatic Resource Management, and 4 other students from the Undergraduate Department of Aquaculture, Diponegoro University 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.
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.
Sakura Science Program (SSP) activities take place with several activities:
1. Get to know the Tumsat University campus environment and prepare fish organs for virus isolation and PCR.
2. Preparation of cell culture for virus isolation and continued with an introductory presentation about each campus and culture in each participating country.
3. Visit to the Miraikan Museum (National Museum of Science and Technology) and Tokyo Sea Life Park (seabed aquarium).
4. Laboratory activities of PCR amplification, electrophoresis, making cryo sections and IFAT.
5. Visit research institutions in Tateyama, Chiba and Umihotaru in the Tokyo Bay area.
6. Observation of inoculated cells and continued with the final presentation
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)