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| Bamboo Institute (Photo: Special) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) continues to demonstrate its commitment to balancing educational progress and environmental sustainability. Many attempts have been made to improve its quality as a beautiful and sustainable campus. Apart from the campus area, UMM also contributes to environmental sustainability through governance units that are active in various fields. One of them is through the Pujon Hill Education Forest, which has a forest rehabilitation activity as its main program.
"Tree planting has become a routine agenda item every year. In addition, there is also an introduction to the importance of the environment to the youth and residents,” explained one of the coordinators, Dr. Tatag Muttaqin, S.Hut., M.Sc. IPM.
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He explained that in the Pujon Hill education forest area, various types of vegetation are planted as a reforestation and natural disaster mitigation activity. One of the plants planted is bamboo (Dendrocalamus). At Pujon Hill, there are at least 30 types of bamboo collections, an initiative of the UMM Bamboo Institute led by Tatag.
UMM's Bamboo Institute program can be a useful framework for implementing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, namely education, research, and community service. It also opens up opportunities for new studies that are useful for the wider community, aligned with UMM's commitment to the advancement of education and environmental sustainability.
“Bamboo commercialization should be optimally developed to improve the welfare of the villagers supporting the forest area. Including for UMM's Pujon Hill education forest,” Tatag added.
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Interestingly, the Bamboo Institute managed to get an appreciation from Prof. Dr. Tobias Cremer as the head of the Forest Utilization and Timber Markets Faculty of Forest and Environment program at one of the most prominent universities in Germany. Moreover, seeing the results and benefits for local residents.
“Education and the environment must work together. The campus must not only provide knowledge based on majors but also provide knowledge of the importance of environmental awareness for the youth. Thus, the next generation can experience a healthy and good environment. Furthermore, Bamboo Institute UMM is also expected to be a bridge to realizing UMM as a superior campus based on environmental sustainability,” he concluded. (wil/put)
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