President Joko Widodo delivered some directions at the peak of the commemoration of the 57th Anniversary of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada University (UGM), which was held online on Friday (23/10).
He said that forestry science stood in a central position in managing the relationship between people and nature, particularly between people and forests. Besides, there is also an evolutionary process of roles and contributions between the community and the forest.
First, in traditional forest communities, they afford the basic needs of forest communities around them, such as food and medicine. Second, in agricultural communities, the forest plays a role in expanding farming and livestock activities. Third, the forest industry community serves as a source of industrial raw materials. Fourth, in post-industrial societies, forests stand as the basis for community services, especially clean water, oxygen, and biodiversity.
“Currently, we are in a position of continued tug of war between the agricultural, industrial and post-industrial concepts of the forest,” he explained.
He also added that forest-based agrarian nations and industrialization had become critical economic sectors such as paper, palm oil, and others. Nevertheless, these two concepts are often opposed by post-industrial ideas that tend to be conservative.
Accordingly, he hoped that the Faculty of Forestry UGM could find common ground and become necessary to study to develop new concepts from UGM. One solution that should be considered is digital technology with accuracy forestry that employs big data and artificial intelligence. With a combined spirit of forest use, agricultural and industrial concepts can be developed without sacrificing post-industry.
“I am pretty sure that the Faculty of Forestry UGM can develop innovations in the current era of confusion and disruption for the leap of improvement in Indonesian forestry. Just keep contributing progress for Indonesia,” he said.
In his remarks, he also conveyed his appreciation to the Faculty of Forestry for producing many alumni of “iso lan gelem kerjo” (able and willing to work) to serve the community, nation, and state. The slogan “iso lan gelem kerjo” is a form of the Faculty of Forestry’s enthusiasm and determination and its alumni to always be with a vengeance in every field of service.
Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/20259-pesan-presiden-jokowi-di-dies-natalis-ke-57-fakultas-kehutanan-ugm
