Jember, East Java \u2014 Jember University (Unej) and Perum Perhutani East\nJava Regional Division have established a collaboration for research and\nfood security in Jember Regency, as the regency is home to the most\ncomprehensive forests in the province, stretching from highland\necosystems to coastal areas.<\/p>\n
Both parties have officially agreed to a strategic partnership\nthrough the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) attended by\nUnej Rector Iwan Taruna and Perum Perhutani East Java Regional Division\nHead Wawan Triwibowo at the Unej Rectorate on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe forests in Jember are comprehensive, ranging from highlands to\nthe seaside, all are present here. This could serve as a forestry\nlaboratory for the education sector,\u201d said Wawan Triwibowo, Head of\nPerum Perhutani East Java Regional Division, at the Unej campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe real challenges at present, such as climate change and poor\nforest conditions in riverine areas, are significant. Perhutani has\nnoted that only approximately 680 hectares of the region truly remain as\npristine and healthy forest out of the total millions of hectares in\nexistence, as the remainder has experienced degradation and conversion\ninto maize farmland by local communities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In implementation, Perhutani will provide forest areas as field\nactivity locations for students and technical guidance support in the\nfield, whilst the university will prepare academic support, supervisors,\nand funding for student activities involved in the programme.<\/p>\n
The cooperation agreement is valid for two years, from 12 March 2026\nto 11 March 2028, and will be implemented through various research\nprogrammes, field practices, internships, and other scientific\nactivities that support sustainable forest management and enhancement of\nstudent competencies.<\/p>\n
With this collaboration, it is hoped that the synergy between the\nacademic world and state forest managers can further strengthen the\ndevelopment of scientific knowledge, conservation of biodiversity, and\ncommunity empowerment in the surrounding forest areas.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Unej Rector Iwan Taruna welcomed the development and\nstated that the university has a moral and academic responsibility to\ncontribute to sustainable natural resource management and emphasised\nthat current forest management must shift from merely focusing on\nproduction towards the preservation of development that has genuine\nimpact.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe university wants to ensure it can facilitate communities through\ncollaboration that has direct impact. Through this cooperation that is\nopen to all faculties, we want to optimise forests as a source of\nlivelihood, especially at a time when the nation is focused on food\nsecurity,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/unej-and-perhutani-collaborate-on-research-and-food-security-in-jember-1773309165", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }