UB-UNESCO Strengthen Citizenship Literacy to Preserve Water Resources

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) - Universitas Brawijaya (UB) is collaborating with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to strengthen civic literacy regarding efforts to preserve water resources (SDA). “Today, there is a need for a new level of education on environmental awareness, and this should indeed be incorporated into civic literacy, as water sustainability poses a major challenge in Greater Malang,” said UB’s Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Internationalisation, Prof Andi Kurniawan, in Malang City, East Java, on Monday. He described the step to sharpen conservation efforts as an embodiment of an impactful campus. Andi stated that his institution is committed to bringing scientific knowledge from the university environment into everyday social life in society. “We want this issue to not be addressed in fragments, but to become part of the integrated curriculum that has already been developed,” he said. On that occasion, he mentioned that the collaboration with UNESCO is part of the continuity of commemorating World Water Day 2026, initiated by UB with the theme Sustainable Ecohydrological Approach for Coastal Resources Management. The event is actually scheduled for 19 March 2026 but has been postponed due to coinciding with preparations for Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah. Meanwhile, Engin Koncagul, representative of the UNESCO Regional Office in Jakarta, acknowledged that UB has assisted his organisation in translating the United Nations report on world water development. In that report, he continued, one of the emphases is the involvement of all society members, starting from women, children, and youth, in sustainable water management steps. “Of course, Indonesia is a role model in managing water resources,” he said. Engin appreciated UB’s active role, which is expected to realise a better situation in the future. “So that Indonesian society can enjoy a better standard of living wherever they live,” he stated.