The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Hasanuddin, through the Forest Conservation Study Program collaborates with the Sulawesi Regional Ecological Conservation Initiative (PROGRES) in the Field of Research and Biodiversity Conservation Efforts in Sulawesi. The collaboration agreement was stated through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Head of the Forest Conservation Study Program and the Co-Executive Director of PROGRES. This collaboration signing was also witnessed by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Unhas.
The signing was carried out offline by adhering to the implementation of the Covid-19 prevention protocol, at 09.00 WITA in the Senate Meeting Room of the 2nd Floor Building, Faculty of Forestry, Unhas, Wednesday (2/3).
Collaboration visit of PROGRES, represented by Sheherazade as Co-Executive Director, was welcomed directly by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry Unhas (Dr. A. Mujetahid M., S.Hut., MP), accompanied by the Vice Dean for Academics, Research and Innovation (Dr. Risma Illa Maulany, S.Hut., M.NatRest), Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni and Partnerships (Dr. Ir. Astuti, S.Hut., M.Sc., IPU.), Head of the Forest Conservation Study Program (Prof. Dr. Ir. Ngakan Putu Oka, M.Sc.), Head of Administration (Herlina Salimin, S.Sos., MM), and Heads of Sub-section in the scope of the Faculty of Forestry Unhas.
Starting the activity, the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry Unhas, Dr. A. Mujetahid M., S. Hut., M.P. in his speech explained that this collaboration was very appropriate for the Forest Conservation Study Program to fulfill the Key Performance Indicators (IKU) and to expand the partnership of the Faculty of Forestry Unhas.
“Forest Conservation Study Program is a new study program. However, before becoming a study program, the Conservation Laboratory and Ecotourism Resources had conducted a number of collaborations. I hope that this collaboration will make a major contribution to the performance of the Faculty of Forestry and Unhas,” A. Mujetahid explained.
Furthermore, A. Mujetahid wishes that the Forestry Engineering Study Program and the Forestry Study Program could follow suit to collaborate.
Sheherazade as the Co-Executive Director of PROGRES on the same occasion said that PROGRES is a biodiversity research and conservation organization that was established in 2018 with Sulawesi Island as the coverage area. Additionally, the base of this institution is in Luwuk, Banggai, and Central Sulawesi.
PROGRES has two approaches, called a science-based approach, by prioritizing accountable research and service, and a community-based approach. PROGRES also has 4 main components, i.e Research, Capacity Building (including the skills needed to become a competent conservation researcher), Conservation Education, and Programs that involve the community to become researchers.
“It is such an honor to have a very warm welcome to support research in Forest Conservation Study Program. The PROGRES program is only available in Central Sulawesi and North Sulawesi, thus through this collaboration, we can explore research in the conservation fields,” Sheherazade said.
Marningsih Sadik, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
