Internationalisation Steps of IPB University’s Tropical Biodiversity Conservation Study Program

IPB University’s Tropical Biodiversity Conservation (KVT) Study Programme under the Department of Forest Resource Conservation and Ecotourism (KSHE), Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan), shows its commitment to nature conservation at the global level. Not only active in research and education, KVT also actively reaches out to the community to raise awareness of the importance of conservation. 

In the past month (14 July-11 August 2024), KVT IPB, both lecturers and students, made international achievements by being actively involved in three international events.

Recently, two KVT IPB University master students, Raditya Hafizhan Syaputra (President of KVT-Contoures Student Association) and Andi Anisya Anindya became delegates in the 2nd Annual Field Course in Conservation Biology and Global Health on 14-31/7. This collaborative programme involved IPB University’s Centre for Primate Studies (PSSP) and Central Oregon Community College (COCC).

It was also supported by the Center for Southeast Asia and Diasporas University of Washington, American Institute for Indonesian Studies (AIFIS), One Earth Institute, Washington National Primate Research Center and Center for Global Field Study University of Washington. 

Located in Pangandaran Nature Reserve, together with other national and foreign participants, the two IPB University students educated elementary school students about the importance of conserving tropical biodiversity and its impact on global health. They also facilitated discussions on good conservation practices and healthy lifestyles, and organised a conservation-themed art contest. 

“This field course experience really opened my eyes to the importance of conservation in the field. I saw first-hand how the knowledge I learnt in class can be applied to protect nature,” said Raditya. For him, this educational programme succeeded in fostering environmental awareness and commitment to conservation among the younger generation.

In Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia, KVT IPB University showed off at the 10th World Congress of Herpetology (WCH10) 2024 (5-9 August 2024). Prof Mirza Dikari Kusrini and five of her students, namely Rizky Tohir and Arief Mahmud (S3) and Morgan Wayne Sawaki, Alienda Fauzia and Nur Adha Mutiaradita (S2), disseminated their research results in the field of herpetology. 

“Student participation in international conferences is a golden opportunity to gain access to the latest knowledge in the field of herpetology, establish cooperation, hone scientific communication skills in English, get feedback from experts, and get inspiration for their research,” said Prof Mirza, who is known as the originator of the Gerakan Observation Amphibi Reptil Kita (GO ARK), a movement to increase public awareness of Indonesian amphibians and reptiles. 

Under the guidance of Prof Mirza Dikari Kusrini, Professor of IPB University in the field of Ecology and Conservation of Herpetofauna, this participation shows KVT’s work towards research, education, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles at the global level.  

Still in Kuching Sarawak, KVT IPB University also participated in the International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH) 2024 (7-11 August 2024). Specialising in tropical biodiversity conservation and ecotourism management and environmental services (MEJ), KVT IPB University sent two lecturers (Prof Yanto Santosa, Chairman of KVT Study Program as Distinguished Guest and Dr Arzyana Sunkar, Secretary of KVT Study Program as Invited Speaker and Jury of Responsible Tourism Award South-East Asia). Both lecturers were accompanied by two students, Lenny Yusrini (S3) as Co-chair of this event and Siti Khafidzah Mufti (S2) as a presenter. 

In his speech, Prof Yanto Santosa said, “The tourism industry is one of the strategic and very prospective industries, so the role of academics and practitioners can be an important reference for science, bureaucracy and entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.” 

According to Prof Yanto, KVT IPB University, as a leading study programme in the field of tropical biodiversity, ecotourism, and environmental services, is committed to encouraging the implementation of responsible tourism at the global level, by preserving biodiversity that offers unique experiences and supports the lives of local communities. Biodiversity loss is a serious threat to the tourism industry, as it reduces the attractiveness of nature and threatens the sustainability of ecosystems.

“The active involvement of KVT IPB University in various international activities proves that this study programme plays an important role in strengthening conservation efforts not only at the local level, but also globally.  Through research, education, and real action, KVT IPB University continues to strive to innovate and collaborate in preserving tropical biodiversity and developing ecotourism and environmental services for current and future generations,” he said. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)