Environmental education collaborate with NGO

BANDA ACEH - On November 5, 2024, Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) hosted the National Working Meeting and Workshop of the Indonesian Biology Consortium (KOBI) at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Auditorium in Banda Aceh. The event, officially opened by USK Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Marwan, brought together academics, government representatives, and environmental experts to discuss strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc, Chair of KOBI, highlighted the consortium’s 13-year contribution to Indonesia’s environmental advancement, including the development of the Indonesian Biodiversity Index (IBI), a key tool adopted by BAPPENAS for national planning. He also noted KOBI members’ active involvement with NGOs promoting biodiversity preservation, particularly in Indonesia’s remote and underdeveloped regions. Acting Mayor of Banda Aceh, Ade Surya, S.T., M.E, emphasized the importance of academic collaboration in addressing land-use and forest sustainability issues, calling for balanced policies between ecological preservation and development needs. In his remarks, Rector Marwan expressed gratitude to KOBI for entrusting USK as host and reaffirmed that biodiversity, conservation, and food security are core priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He underscored Aceh’s unique ecological assets including the Leuser ecosystem and its four protected species: elephants, tigers, orangutans, and rhinos stressing that ongoing research and collaboration are essential to ensure long-term environmental sustainability. 

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BIREUEN - On June 26, 2024, students from the Master’s Program in Environmental Management (MPL) at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) commemorated World Environment Day 2024 at the Paya Nie Ecotourism Area in Blang Mee Village, Kuta Blang District, Bireuen Regency. Carrying the theme “Solving the Climate Crisis through Innovation and the Principle of Justice,” the event featured a series of concrete environmental actions, including the planting of 1,000 tree seedlings (Matoa, Bamboo, and Mangrove species), the release of 3,000 snakehead fish fingerlings into the Paya Nie wetlands, and the installation of segregated waste bins to promote sustainable waste management. The initiative, supported by PT Pupuk Iskandar Muda (PIM), aimed to raise public awareness about environmental conservation while empowering local communities to take part in ecological restoration efforts. The program was a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving DLHK Bireuen, Bappeda Bireuen, Aceh Wetland Foundation (AWF), Green Leadership Indonesia (GLI) Bireuen, Sekolah Alam Bireuen (Shabir), local village leaders, students from USK and Universitas Al Muslim, and several community organizations. Jaka Kirwanto, Director of Operations and Production at PT PIM, emphasized that such initiatives demonstrate PIM’s and USK’s joint commitment to reducing carbon emissions, preserving aquatic ecosystems, and cultivating a culture of environmental responsibility. The activity not only celebrated World Environment Day but also reinforced Paya Nie’s role as a living laboratory for peatland conservation and sustainable community-based environmental management in Aceh. 

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PENANG - On April 22, 2024, Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) and the Malaysian Humanitarian Foundation (MHF) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Penang Town Hall, Malaysia, to strengthen collaboration in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. The agreement, witnessed by Datuk Rajendran P. Anthony, Mayor of Penang, was signed by Prof. Dr. Ir. Taufiq Saidi, M.Eng., IPU, Vice Rector for Planning, Partnership, and Business at USK, and Henry Kok Kheng Teh, Project Director of MHF. The ceremony was attended by key USK representatives including Dr. Muzailin Affan, Head of the Office of International Affairs; Dr. Ir. Dahlan, S.Hut., M.Si., IPU, Head of the Forestry Department; Dr. Nizamuddin, M.Info.Sc, Head of the Informatics Department; and Rahmad Dawood, Head of the USK Laboratory Center. The MoU outlines joint initiatives on climate action, waste and energy management, and the establishment of a Global Council on Waste, Energy, and Climate Change, while supporting the sustainable development of USK’s second campus area. The signing coincided with World Cleanup Day 2024, symbolizing a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. The USK delegation also participated in cleanup activities at Queensbay Square and the Forest Planting Program at Areca Park, Penang, reinforcing both institutions’ dedication to collaborative, cross-border efforts in climate change mitigation and sustainability advocacy.  

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