Collaboration between IPB University and France, Three Indonesian Students Graduated from the Forest Fire Master’s Program
Through international collaboration between IPB University and the French Government, three Indonesian students successfully graduated from the double degree master’s program in Forest Fire Management. The master’s study program with the topic Forest Fire is one of the implementations of a series of collaborations being built.
The three selected participants who took part in this program consisted of two IPB University students (Ravita Safitri and Agysta Zaskia) and one person from the National Disaster Management Authority (Kiki Yunianti). At the end of September, these three students officially received certificates of completion of the forest fire double degree program. The certificate was handed over directly by the French Ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone at the Embassy of France Office in Jakarta.
“This double degree program in Forest Fire Management is expected to provide great benefits in understanding and effectively handling forest and land fires (karhutla), especially in Indonesia and France. The reason is, both countries are among those that focus on handling forest and land fires,” said Prof Bambang Hero Saharjo as student supervisor.
Prof Bambang explained that this collaboration was initiated by IPB University and École Pratique des Hautes Études, France. Through this scholarship provided by the French Government, students can take part in a double degree program at a French university for one year or two semesters. In its implementation, this collaboration was carried out by the Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) IPB University.
“Forest and land fires are a significant global issue that has a wide impact in various parts of the world, especially on ecosystems and biodiversity. Forest and land fires also contribute to increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and directly impact climate change. “Climate change, (abnormal) weather conditions and human activities play an important role in triggering forest and land fires,” explained Prof Bambang.
According to this IPB University Professor, France is one of the countries in Europe that is concerned about forest and land fires. The majority of fires in France occur in boreal forests in the dry season. France also has a structured fire management system involving various parties, including government agencies, fire departments and non-governmental organizations.
“Similar to Indonesia, forest and land fires are also the government’s main focus. In Indonesia, most fires occur on peatlands which have an effect on increasing GHG emissions,” said Prof Bambang who is also the Executive Director of the Regional Fire Management Resource Center-Southeast Asia (RFMRC).
He hopes that this program can become a forum for exchanging knowledge and experience between countries to improve efforts to overcome forest and land fires. “Hopefully this activity will continue for the next few years and become an icon, because forest fire emissions are very significant in increasing GHG emissions. The existence of this program can open the door to closer international cooperation and collaboration in handling forest and land fires,” he hoped. (RS/NFH/Rz) (IAAS/RZL)
