Belantara Foundation and Riau University Hold a Kick Off Meeting for Internship Program at the Humus Research Station of the Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve, Riau
Belantara Foundation and Universitas Riau held an online kick off meeting on Internship Program with Belantara Foundation, including at the Humus Research Station of the Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve, Bengkalis Regency, Riau on Friday (25/2). The internship program aims to increase the technical capacity and knowledge of students about forest protection and restoration, as well as community empowerment. This internship also aims to train students to conduct research on biodiversity and peat ecosystems. This program will be carried out for approximately 6 months or 1 semester with a total of 20 credits.
Also present in the meeting, the Executive Director of Belantara Foundation Dr. Dolly Priatna and his team, and Head of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Riau University, Dr. Vanda Julita Yahya and her team.
"Primary and secondary research data generated from the internship is expected to provide benefits for biodiversity management strategies in peatland. It will be useful for science and sustainable management of peatland," said Dr. Dolly Priatna.
On the same occasion, the Head of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) Universitas Riau, Dr. Vanda Julita Yahya said that through internships, students can directly learn to apply theories that students get during class. They can also learn to provide input and find solutions for peatland development.
The Humus Peatland Research Station, Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve was initiated by Asia Pulp & Paper Sinar Mas and launched in 2019. Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve was first designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2009. The main purpose of the GSK-BB Biosphere Reserve is to balance between increasing socio-economic development and maintaining the cultural values of the community as well as the preservation of biodiversity.
