Pita Asih Bekti Cahyanti, an architecture student at Faculty of Engineering UGM, presented her research at the 8th International Conference on Environmental Engineering and Applications (ICEEA) 2017 which was held at Faculty of Architecture, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Italy, from July 18 until 20, 2017. This conference became a meeting event for researchers, practitioners, and scientists who are competent in the field of environmental engineering and its applications to the environment.
At the occasion, Pita presented her paper entitled Development of Landscape Architecture through Geo-Eco-Tourism in Tropical Karst Area to Avoid Extractive Cement Industry for Dignified and Sustainable Environment and Life. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Cahyono, a lecturer at Faculty of Forestry UGM, Pita Asih conducted a study regarding the management of limestone or karst tropical land of Seribu Mountain in Special Region of Yogyakarta, Central Java, and East Java provinces which became Sewu Mount UNESCO Global Park in September 2015.
Karst area which is currently being threatened due to exploitation of cement mining was studied using an integrated cycle management system based on Education for Sustainable Development that adds value to the economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects, as well as health aspects harmoniously, dignifiedly, and sustainably. This study has also attracted the attention of other scientists so that the result of Pita Asih’s research can be applied to the similar ecosystems in other countries, particularly Canada.
“In front of many top internationals scientists, I tried not to be nervous but to make this moment as the best event to learn to develop self-competence as well as build an international network instead,” said Pita on Friday (21/7).
Pita believes that a presentation of Indonesian research in a prestigious and reputable international seminar and publication will have a positive impact on improving the reputation of the nation as well as Indonesian people and universities. This kind of event can encourage Indonesian students to be a world class academician who is able to compete with other students from the developed countries.
“International seminar is the best media to present research findings from Indonesia in the international forum,” she added.
Pita Asih said her paper which had been presented would be published in an international journal or proceeding, namely IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES). This publication is included in a reputable publication and indexed by Scopus, Conference Proceedings Citation Index – Science (CPCI-S), Thomson Reuters, Web of Science, GeoBase, Georef, Compendex, Inspec, Chemical Abstract Service, NASA Astrophysics Data System, INIS (International Nuclear Information System) etc. so it can be exclusively and openly accessed by all scientists.
“It is not easy for academicians to publish their research in reputable Scopus indexed journals,” said Pita.
Pita Asih hopes this kind of students’ achievement can obtain more support from the university, particularly regarding the budget, because it is important for the development of international scientific and academic network to encourage UGM as a World Class University.
“I hope there will be a better development because no matter what students and academicians are required to always have new knowledge and innovation. By trying to utilize the knowledge and experience that are obtained by attending international seminars and publication, of course, we can enhance the students’ competitiveness to realize the sustainable development,” she added.