As many as 20 students from five Southeast Asian universities joined summer school at Faculty of Biology UGM to learn tropical biodiversity and sustainable development.
In the 2nd International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development held from 8-17 July 2019, they will learn tropical biodiversity, conservation, SDGs, and policy and agenda.
The participants came from Prince of Songkla University Thailand, Universiti Sains Malaysia, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Universiti Tun Abdul Rahman Malaysia, and Universitas Nasional Timor Lorosae.
Deputy Dean, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., said the summer course was to increase sustainable development literacy and importance of tropical biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia because the region has a high potential than other regions.
“Southeast Asia tropical biology ecosystem is the centre of mega-biodiversity of many plants, animals, and other exotic species,” said Eko on Monday (8/7) to the participants.
He said such ecosystem played an important role in supporting the local community. However, population growth and human activity, land degeneration, deforestation, climate change, and non-sustainable economic policy have threatened the tropical biodiversity and ecosystem. Therefore, through the summer course literacy in sustainable development can be achieved.
Participants will join courses given by 12 experts from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia and the US. They will also make a field visit to Paliyan forest and Sadranan beach.
Faculty of Biology UGM and Office of International Affairs (OIA) UGM organise the course that was opened by Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Budi Setiadi Daryono, accompanied by Head of OIA, I Made Andi Arsana, Ph.D.