YOGYAKARTA-Inauguration of Water Park by Dean of Faculty of Geography, Prof. Dr. Suratman, M.Sc., Friday (10/6), initiated a series of the 48th Anniversary events of Faculty of Geography which will last up to September 2011. The presence of water park will be complemented by other learning media, such as rock park, plants park, and information park. "The existence of several parks, water park, rock park, plants park and information park will be established gradually as the medium of learning to students and academic members of Faculty of Geography," Suratman said in his opening speech of anniversary at the faculty yard.
On the occasion, Suratman said many progresses have been achieved by Faculty of Geography in its 48th anniversary. The progress was achieved through a long struggle, especially if looking at the era of the 1980s when the existence of Faculty of Geography was questioned.
In his speech, Suratman mentioned one of superior programs of Faculty of Geography is internationalization. Faculty of Geography is currently focusing on the effort of cooperation and student exchanges involving several countries, namely, Africa, Germany, Japan, and France. In addition, students of Faculty of Geography will take Field Work in Malaysia. "There are already S-3 students from a few countries who study at Faculty of Geography," he added.
Faculty of Geography is a pioneer of environmentally friendly educopolis campus by shifting transport medium from motorcycle to bike. As a tangible form, the faculty has prepared campus bikes for students to be used as means of transportation from their lodging to the campus. The concern to the environment is also proven by preventing water coming out and disposed from the faculty to not become the source of flood to the city. "As a pioneer of educopolis campus, we created a campus of low energy, low pollution, low noise," Suratman said.
In the presence of teaching and academic staff, Suratman also reminded some things that still need to be fought for, for example increasing the number of professors. Currently, the number of professors in the Faculty is still below the average, which is 13%, while the number of professors produced is still around 10%. "University’s target actually reaches 20% while we are still about 13%, so this needs to be increased," Suratman said.
Separately, Chairman of Committee for the 48th Anniversary of Faculty of Geography, Dr. Nurul Khakhim, M.Sc., said several events that have been prepared, among others, are sport games (badminton, table tennis, soccer, etc.). In addition, there is pilgrimage to the graveyard of the founders of Faculty of Geography. Several seminars and workshops will also enliven the anniversary, such as seminars on climate change and environment, dynamics of urban and rural areas, as well as Geography curriculum revision workshop towards internationalization and expansion of the labor market. "On September 12, 2011 Anniversary speech will be delivered to top it all," Nurul said.