The seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, and the Indonesian Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, attended the Open Senate Meeting marking the 62nd Anniversary of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), on Friday (Oct. 17).
Joko Widodo attended the event upon the official invitation of the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry. The 1980 alumnus of the Faculty of Forestry sat in the front row alongside Minister Raja Juli Antoni, UGM Rector, and Chair of Commission XIII of the House of Representatives, Willy Aditya.
In his remarks, Minister Raja Juli Antoni extended congratulations on the faculty’s 62nd anniversary, recognizing its longstanding contribution to Indonesia’s forestry sector.
“I extend my gratitude to the entire academic community of the UGM Faculty of Forestry for their exceptional contributions in advancing Indonesia’s forestry sector,” he said.
According to the minister, the UGM Faculty of Forestry has produced numerous foresters across Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua, who have played vital roles in protecting forests.
“We hope to strengthen our collaboration so that forests remain sustainable and communities become more prosperous,” he said.
Minister Antoni also highlighted the government’s ongoing digital transformation efforts in the forestry sector. He noted that an integrated digital system is crucial for mitigating land governance conflicts and improving transparency in managing natural resources.
“We are developing a national platform that allows all forestry permits and mapping data to be publicly accessible. With this, forestry policy will be increasingly data-driven and accountable,” the minister explained.
In addition, he emphasized the government’s commitment to mitigating climate change through the expansion of social forestry programs and the development of carbon markets. He stated that Indonesia holds great potential to develop a green economy through ecosystem restoration.
“We aim to shift the business paradigm from logging to planting. With carbon investment support, the forestry sector can become the driving force of a green economy that benefits local communities,” he added.
Minister Antoni also underscored the importance of involving indigenous communities in forest conservation, noting that they possess local wisdom that has proven effective in preserving forest ecosystems for centuries.
“They are the best guardians of Indonesia’s forests. The government is committed to accelerating the legalization of customary forests so that their rights are protected and integrated into the national forestry system,” he stated.
UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia emphasized the strategic role of higher education in preparing excellent human resources for the sustainability of the forestry sector in her address. She noted that educational transformation is crucial in the face of today’s global challenges.
“Reinventing forestry education is necessary so that our graduates are not only capable of managing forests but also play active roles in climate change mitigation and green economic innovation,” said Professor Emilia.
She further highlighted the importance of strengthening human resources in the forestry sector as a pillar for achieving Indonesia’s Net Zero Emission target by 2060. The rector noted that the Faculty of Forestry has set an example by integrating modern technology, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and community empowerment through applied research.
“The Faculty of Forestry has played a key role in producing graduates who understand both technical and social aspects, and who are adaptive to global change,” she remarked.
Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Dr. Sigit Sunarta, in his annual report, reaffirmed that the faculty is implementing the Impactful Forestry Higher Education Framework (Im-For-Etik) as a guide for educational transformation.
“This framework aims to create green leaders, advance translational research, and develop transformative community service programs,” he said.
He added that the reinvention process also includes curriculum redesign and strengthening of field-based research ecosystems. The Faculty of Forestry currently manages a Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) as a living laboratory for policy innovation, ecosystem restoration, and community empowerment around forest areas.
“Through our teaching forest, students learn directly in the field to design practical solutions for future forestry challenges,” said the dean.
Concluding the open senate session, Professor San Afri Awang, Chair of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Forestry, reflected on the importance of maintaining policy continuity in the forestry sector across different government periods.
He emphasized that synergy among the government, academia, and the public forms the foundation for a fair and sustainable national forestry system.
“Forestry policies should not stop with changes in administration but must remain consistent and pro-people,” he asserted.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Salma
Photographer: Firsto Adi