The Faculty of Law, Universitas Pattimura, held a public lecture on the theme “Oceans and Sustainable Development” (Ocean and Sustainable Development) by presenting an international resource person, Prof. Amanda Reichelt-Brushett, Ph.D. from Southern Cross University, Australia, as the main speaker.
This activity was held in a hybrid manner, via Zoom and face-to-face at the Faculty of Law Auditorium, on Friday, November 7, 2025.
This event marked a significant milestone for the Faculty of Law in expanding international collaboration. The event saw the signing of a cooperation agreement between Dr. Irma Hanafi, Head of the Law Study Program at Universitas Pattimura, and Prof. Reichelt-Brushett. This agreement marks the first step toward the presence of international guest lecturers in 2026, as part of the faculty's efforts to achieve international accreditation.
The public lecture was moderated by Dr. Theresia Narwadan, SH, M.Hum., who led an interactive and in-depth discussion. In her presentation, Prof. Reichelt-Brushett explained the results of her research since 2015, which highlights human activities as the main cause of marine pollution. She emphasized the importance of global action and sustainable policies to address the increasingly alarming damage to marine ecosystems. One of the major challenges she revealed was the difficulty in implementing effective regulations and the complexity of managing marine debris across countries.
The event was attended by faculty leaders, including the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Sherlock Lekipiouw, SH, MH, lecturers, and hundreds of students from various classes. The enthusiasm of the participants demonstrated the high level of interest among the academic community in environmental issues and strengthening international academic networks.
The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Unpatti Law Study Program and Southern Cross University marks an important step in strengthening global academic collaboration and opening opportunities for the presence of foreign lecturers in 2026. The theme of this public lecture highlights the global issue of marine ecosystem conservation and the urgency of sustainable development as a solution to increasing marine pollution. The collaboration is expected to improve the quality of the curriculum, expand research collaboration, and open up cross-border academic exchanges, all of which strengthen the reputation of Universitas Pattimura at the international level.
In her discussion, Prof. Reichelt-Brushett emphasized that human behavior remains the primary factor causing marine pollution. She highlighted the need for stronger law enforcement and policies to protect the maritime environment. The complexity of regulating and handling marine waste, which involves multiple jurisdictions, presents a unique challenge in managing marine resources.
The high level of faculty and student participation in this activity demonstrates strong support for the Faculty of Law's vision to become a leading, environmentally conscious, and internationally recognized institution. The plan to bring in foreign lecturers in 2026 further underscores the Faculty of Law's commitment to improving academic quality and strengthening Universitas Pattimura's position in the global education arena.
