Sleman, Yogyakarta — Students of the Marine Engineering Study Program at Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) have been given a valuable opportunity to engage directly in the world of research through an internship program at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). This strategic collaboration between ITK and BRIN opens doors for students to sharpen their research skills at the Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Engineering Laboratory (Lab-DPRP) of BRIN Yogyakarta, located in the Mlati area, Sleman Regency.

The Coastal Dynamics and Coastal Engineering Laboratory (Lab-DPRP), which operates under the Deputy for Research and Innovation Infrastructure, is managed by the Directorate of Laboratory Management, Research Facilities, and Science and Technology Park Areas (DPLFRKST). This laboratory serves as a strategic hub for research on ocean wave dynamics, coastal protection structures, and coastal disaster mitigation. Equipped with comprehensive physical experimental facilities and numerical modeling tools, the laboratory provides an ideal environment for students to learn directly from experts.

During the internship, students receive intensive guidance from BRIN researchers Adnan Sandy Dwi Marta, S.T., M.Eng., and Ir. Aris Subarkah, M.T., and are also supervised by an ITK academic advisor, Ir. Ahmad Azwar Mas'ud, M.S.T., M.T. This mentorship ensures that students not only complete their internship tasks but also develop research competencies aligned with the needs of the coastal industry and research sector.

One of the most interesting activities undertaken by the students is the construction of tetrapod models—uniquely shaped, four-legged structures that function as wave breakers. These miniature models are made from a mixture of iron sand, cement, and water, then cast using silicone molds. Although each model weighs only 67 grams, it represents an actual 2-ton tetrapod at a 1:31 scale. The miniatures are then used to test the strength of coastal protection structures against wave forces.

The experience becomes even more engaging when students conduct breakwater testing in a flume tank, a specialized wave simulation channel. They arrange tetrapods in six layers along the breakwater slope and then subject them to gradually increasing wave “attacks.” The objective is to determine the wave conditions under which the tetrapods begin to shift or collapse. This critical moment is key to evaluating the effectiveness of coastal protection structures in dissipating wave energy.

In addition to physical experiments, students are also equipped with numerical modeling skills using advanced software. With OpenFOAM, they learn to simulate wave interactions with coastal structures, including phenomena such as run-up (waves climbing up structures) and overtopping (waves overflowing the structures).

Meanwhile, training with MIKE 21 introduces students to real-world case studies around Kelor Island in Jakarta Bay. Using the Hydrodynamic–Spectral Wave Coupled (HD–SW Coupled) method, students simulate the complex interactions between currents, tides, and waves in an integrated manner. This method provides a realistic depiction of wave transformation and energy distribution, especially under extreme wave conditions. The simulation results are highly valuable for risk analysis and the formulation of coastal disaster mitigation strategies.

Students also have the opportunity to observe an L-type Oscillating Water Column (OWC) model, a technology that converts wave energy into electrical energy. They observe how air flows during compression and decompression processes inside the chamber to evaluate the potential conversion of wave energy into pneumatic energy. This activity is part of ongoing research into renewable marine energy.

Overall, this research internship program offers a comprehensive experience—from constructing and testing physical models, conducting numerical simulations with professional software, to analyzing coastal disaster mitigation strategies. It stands as tangible evidence of how the synergy between the Marine Engineering Study Program at ITK and BRIN can produce applied learning while contributing to the advancement of national marine research. For students, this experience serves as a valuable foundation for entering the world of research and the marine industry.