Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is in mourning. One of its most respected figures, Professor Soemardi, from the Faculty of Forestry (FKT UGM), passed away on Saturday, Jun. 7, 2025, at 10:54 WIB at the age of 81 years and 4 months. His remains were laid in state at the Balairung on Sunday, Jun. 8, 2025, for a final tribute.
Chair of UGM Board of Professors, Professor Baiquni, described Professor Soemardi as a teacher and role model to his students and colleagues throughout his life.
“He was a teacher and an inspiration to us all. May his lifetime of scholarly contributions and works become a field of blessings for the advancement of future forestry sciences. Let us carry forward his knowledge, continue his innovations, and expand upon his legacy,” said Professor Baiquni.
Professor Baiquni noted that Professor Soemardi was inaugurated as a full professor on Jun. 12, 2006, nineteen years ago, with an inaugural address titled “Shifting Orientation of Forest Protection in the Development of Forest Management.”
One of the key messages conveyed in that speech was the importance of developing shared perspectives and dialogues in the future of forest management.
In his address, Professor Soemardi emphasized that population growth would inevitably lead to an increase in demand for forest products.
This, in turn, would lead to greater utilization of forest resources and, consequently, deforestation.
The increasing demand for forest products and other forest-related uses due to population growth and rising welfare expectations presents a major challenge for future forest management.
The forest degradation we are currently witnessing poses a challenge to whether we will be able to manage our forests effectively in the future.
Born in Madiun on Jan. 16, 1944, Professor Soemardi completed his primary and secondary education at Sekolah Rakyat N Tinap, SMP N Maospati, and SMAN 1 Madiun.
He earned his Master’s degree from The University of Melbourne, Australia, and completed his doctoral degree at FKT UGM.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Firsto Adi