On the heels of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Coral Triangle Initiative Regional Secretariat and the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) which was held on 16th November 2016, the Executive Director of CTI-CFF, Widi A. Pratikto, Ph.D is also one of the recipient of the UMT’s Doctor Honoris Causa award for his notable achievements on scientific field on ocean engineering, marine and fisheries science.
On 19th November 2016, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Queen of Terengganu who is also the Chancellor of UMT, confers the Doctor (Scientific) Honoris Causa award to Widi A. Pratikto at UMT campus, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
Widi A. Pratikto, Ph.D becomes the first Indonesian scientist to receive the highest award of Doctor (Scientific) Honoris Causa from UMT.
The combination of scientific expertise and hands-on experience as government bureaucrat has made Widi A. Pratikto Ph.D a well respected leader in his field. His contributions in the form of scientific papers, books, and case studies presented at various national, regional and international scientific have been referred to in the advancement of marine and fisheries world. One of his major achievement include a legal product (Act No. 27, Year 2007 on the Management of Coastal and Small Islands) was developed during his leadership years in the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, when he was the Director General of Marine, Coastal, and Small Islands in 2002-2006.
"This title of Doctor Honoris Causa that I receive, is my dedication to the advancement of marine and fisheries sciences and technology, especially for the Coral Triangle area," Widi said.
Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nor Aieni Mokhtar, the Vice Chancellor of the UMT said: "UMT appreciated the figure of Widi A. Pratikto as part of the solution to the world of marine fisheries in the Coral Triangle region, and Malaysia in particular."