To further increase the understanding of tropical biodiversity and sustainable development, the Faculty of Biology UGM held the International Summer Course on Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development 2018. Around 20 international students and 18 local students participated in this event. Apart from experts from UGM, this activity also invited academics, NGO activists, and industry parties from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
The summer course, which was carried out in collaboration with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), took place from 6 to 12 August 2018, where the participants attended lectures, workshops, and field activities. In between the lectures, the participants performed a batik making workshop using natural dyes supervised by Mr. Hatmoko, the owner of Hatmoko Batik. Also, the field activities were held at the Paliyan Wildlife Reserve and Sadranan Beach. On the last day of the event, the participants enjoyed a presentation by Mika Mei Jia Tan (ASEAN Center for Biodiversity) discussing youth’s role in protecting biodiversity in the ASEAN region.