Universitas Hasanuddin as one of the top universities in Indonesia continues to encourage its contribution to realizing responsibility towards the community and environment. Unhas continues pursuing global recognition as a target, however, Unhas also prioritizes its main task as a source of life for the people of Indonesia. The contribution of the tri dharma of higher education is carried out through the wide use of resources, both independently and through collaboration with other parties or reputable institutions.
Responding to the ideas, Kyoto University Japan offered Unhas to actively participate in the development of a resilient community under the climate change program. The program titled “International Program on Resilient Society Development under Climate Change (RSDC)” is a research and education consortium to further provide a briefing on community responsiveness resulting from the effects of climate change.
The RSDC Faculty Development Symposium “Inter-University Exchange Project” was held at The Westin Grande Hotel Bangkok, Thailand on Monday (1/13). The activity was organized by Kyoto University by presenting all consortium representatives from 8 countries namely: Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
A total of 27 universities from 8 countries joins the consortium. All universities have excellence in the field related to the mission of RSDC.
A lecturer from the civil engineering department, Suharman Hamzah, Ph.D., is trusted to be an Unhas representative in the consortium. This Kyoto University alumnus has said that one of the reasons for Unhas joining the consortium was the strong base for its human resources which Unhas had in the field of disaster.
“Furthermore, Unhas has been a partner to Kyoto University since a long time ago. We have been collaboratively engaged in various activities,” said Suharman.
Prof. Hiroyasu Ohtsu as the project leader from Kyoto University presented the consortium activity report at the beginning of the event. The consortium has the main mission which is to provide more insights to the society that disaster can be caused by nature and human error.
“Natural disasters can be minimalized, for example, with education. The consortium provides undergraduate, master, and doctoral programs. This gathering is expected to prepare students as the future leader in formulating the social and ecological system to deal with climate change.” Said Prof. Ohtsu.
Meanwhile, Vice President for International Strategy Kyoto University, Prof. Yasuyuki Kono, conveyed that his university considers the importance of internationalization in various events. Therefore, Kyoto University is very open to encourage scientific collaboration and consortium such as this DRSC.
“We hope we can continuously support the DRSC in the coming future. Besides, the connection with the young generation is important to give more space for them to be directly involved in programs like this.” Said Prof. Kono.
The symposium discussed three main consortium programs, including internship for undergraduate program, summer course, and winter school program for master and doctorate degree.
Suharman further explained some interesting things on this topic. For instance, field trip activities that are considered more interesting, a curriculum that is more adaptive to social and environmental practices and approaches that need to be prepared more in further activities.
“Moreover, we also evaluate the result of the program especially the students, the selection process and educational background, the content and curriculum of the internship program, field trip, and group discussion.” Added Suharman.
In the last session, we discussed plans for future activity, which still emphasized the educational aspects of undergraduate, master and doctoral programs. The event was closed by Prof. Harushige Kusumi from Kansai University Japan as one of the consortium member universities. Prof. Kusumi read some inputs, ideas, and activities that will be a record of the future implementation of the consortium. On that occasion, we also agreed to increase the number of consortium memberships covering 13 countries.
“With the involvement of Unhas in this consortium, it is expected that it will encourage the role of Unhas in realizing its mission as humaniversity. Disasters can happen any time and some are unpredictable, but with the responsiveness capability which is possessed in minimizing the impacts caused by climate change,” Suharman said. (*)
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
