President Joko Widodo delivered some notes at the peak of the online commemoration of the 57th Anniversary of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada University (UGM) 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 an expansion area for agricultural and livestock activities. Third, the forest industry community serves as a source of industrial raw materials. Fourth, in post-industrial communities, forests take a 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 important economic sectors such as paper, palm oil, and others in reality. Nevertheless, these two concepts are often opposed by post-industrial concepts that tend to be conservative.
Accordingly, he hoped that the UGM Faculty of Forestry UGM could find common ground and become a necessary task to study to develop new concepts from UGM. One solution that should be taken into account 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 UGM Faculty of Forestry 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) that would 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.
Author: Ika
Translator: Natasa A