YOGYAKARTA - Nowadays, various regions in the world are hit by energy crisis, the limited supply of water, or spatial and areas threats. Under these conditions, management of natural resources more efficiently and sustainably is urgent to do by involving many parties. This has become one focus of discussion in the meeting of Center for Natural Resources and Development (CNRD) at UGM, Tuesday (25/10).
CNRD is a networking program for a consortium of 11 universities from Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, which is engaged in the study and management of natural resources. UGM is the only representative of Indonesia in the network. Besides Indonesia, the network consists of representatives of universities in Nepal, Vietnam, Jordan, Egypt, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Mozambique, and Germany.
Besides, another thing to be prideful of Faculty of Geography is that Prof. Dr. Junun Sartohadi, M.Sc., has been elected to lead the CNRD consortium for one year ahead up to 2012. Later, Junun will domicile in Cologne, Germany.
Junun to reporters explained that besides to discuss a variety of important programs related to natural resource management, the representative participants of 11 universities who attended the event will also conduct field visit to Yogyakarta’s potential of natural resources, ranging from Mount Merapi to Parangtritis. "The major discussion topics on this forum is indeed regarding the availability of natural resources and world energy as well as the rescue measures," Junun explained.
In the same place, Dean of Faculty of Geography, Prof. Dr. Suratman, M.Sc., admitted to fully support the development of this program by giving students a chance for the S-2 and S-3 to take courses and do research in Germany, Brazil, and Nepal. On the other hand, UGM also sends lecturers to teach the partner countries, among others Mexico, Brazil, Nepal, Vietnam, and Germany. "We can send lecturers to teach the partner countries as well as students of the S-2 and S-3 programs to take courses and study there," Suratman said.
He added out of CNRD networking has been developed joint degree program for the S-2, i.e, between Cologne University of Applied Science with the S-2 of Coastal and Watershed Management Planning (MPPDAS) of Faculty of Geography. On that occasion, Dr. rer. nat. Muh Aris Marfai, M.Sc. as the manager of the S-2 MPPDAS has conducted detailed discussion with the manager of the S-2 from Cologne Germany and agreed to free tuition for every student sent. "In addition, Indonesia also will provide scholarships for living expenses for foreign students who take courses in Indonesia through an excellent scholarship program of BPKLN Ministry of National Education," he added.
CNRD program is in line with the internationalization program developed by Faculty of Geography. Suratman said that Faculty of Geography is serious in the development of international program. In addition to exchange program of faculty, staff, and students with universities abroad, this time several double degree programs are also initiated. "Faculty of Geography at least has established cooperation with 27 universities from 20 countries," Suratman concluded.