2 Delegates of Bogor Agricultural University Attended FORED 2010, at SEARCA, College, Laguna, the Philippines
Approximately 200 participants consisting of researchers, students and representatives from countries in Asia Pacific attended the International Conference On Forestry Education And Research For The Asia-Pacific Region (FORED 2010). This internatioal event with the theme Forestry Education and Research Responding to Changing Needs was held for 3 days, 23 – 25 November 2010, at SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines. The delegates of Bogor Agricultural University for this conference were Umar Atik and Renando Meiko Putra, students of the Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry.
The objectives of this event was to strengthen the education and research in the forestry sector leading to Sustainable Forest Management as one of the priority programs in the Asia Pacific region. In particular, the aims of the conference was evaluate the status of education and forestry research in the Asia Pacific region, as well as to identify challenges and key issues in the education sector and the forestry research and to initiate forestry education plan and research in the future. This conference focused on four main sub-themes such as: (1). Advancing Forestry Education and Profession; (2). Current Development in Forestry Research; (3). Forestry Education and Research Interface; and (4) Forests and Climate Change.
The conference was officially opened by Dr. Luis Rey I. Velasco, the Chancellor of UPLB (University of the Philippines at Los Banos) and then proceeded by keynote speakers, one which was the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry Bogor Agricultural University, Dr. Ir. Hendrayanto, M. Agr. He delivered his keynote address on “Forestry Education” in the first day. Other items of the Agenda of the Conference was panel discussion with 4 topics.
For panel discussion Mr. Renando Meiko Putra, presented his paper on "Bio-Technology to Increase Soil Pore Function" which was grouped into the Current Development in Forestry Research. In his presentation, Mr. Putra elaborated the application and example of the utilization Biopori technology which was invented by Dr. Khamir Raziudin Brata M.Sc. While at the next session, Mr. Umar Atik presented his paper on "Environment Activities: Planting Activity Program to Face Global Warming (Case Study in Megamendung Area, West Java)," which was grouped in the topics “Forest and Climate Change”. His paper described the progress report of the afforestation activities undertaken by the younger generation of Indonesia as one of the Programs of the Association of Tree Grower Community, and this activity was expected to be the examplified for the younger generation today to improve their awareness for the environmental conservation especially related with global climate change issues.
Resolutions recommended by the FORED 2010 were to improve the cooperation, transfer of information and technology in forestry education and research between institutions, universities and governments in the Asia-Pacific. (Wied).
