[unsoed.ac.id, Sat, 05/07/25] Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) has formed a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the Unsoed Rectorate Building. During this event, a Cooperation Agreement was also signed between Unsoed’s Graduate School and the Acting Director General of Social Forestry. The occasion was attended by the Rector, Vice Rectors, the Director of the Graduate School, Deans from Unsoed, and officials from the Ministry of Forestry, led by the Secretary General, Dr. Ir. Mahfudz, M.P.
In his speech, Unsoed Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Akhmad Sodiq, M.Sc., Agr., IPU., ASEAN Eng emphasized that this collaboration reflects the university’s commitment to promoting sustainable development in the forestry sector, particularly in fostering inclusive and community-based social forestry. “As a university grounded in local wisdom, Unsoed is prepared to be a strategic partner of the government in research, education, and community service, especially in supporting equitable social forestry programs,” stated Prof. Sodiq.
In his speech, Dr. Ir. Mahfudz, M.P., the Secretary General of the Ministry of Forestry, emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and the government in the sustainable management of forest resources. “We welcome this partnership because academia plays a crucial role in enhancing community capacity and offering policy recommendations based on credible research findings,” stated Dr. Mahfudz.
Optimizing the function of forests and forest areas to enhance food security is a crucial strategy for achieving sustainable development. This approach not only aims to restore forests from ecological damage but also seeks to provide direct benefits to local communities. By implementing a social forestry approach, forest areas are managed in a participatory manner, allowing nearby communities to legally and sustainably access, manage, and utilize forest resources. This includes opportunities for food crop cultivation, non-timber forest products, and agroforestry practices. As a result, the restoration of forest ecosystems goes hand in hand with improved community well-being and contributes significantly to national food security.
The signing of the MoU and Cooperation Agreement addresses joint research, policy development, community empowerment, training, and capacity building in social forestry.
In addition to signing the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreement, the event included a public lecture titled “The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Social Forestry: Supporting Forest Integration in the Food, Energy, and Water Nexus.” This lecture was attended by postgraduate students from Unsoed and provided an important platform for dialogue between academics and government representatives on aligning the roles of higher education institutions with sustainable development goals. During this forum, discussions centered on ways higher education institutions can actively participate in integrating knowledge, research, and community service to support social forestry. This integration is seen as a vital part of addressing challenges related to food security, renewable energy, and sustainable water resource management.
It is hoped that this collaboration will foster sustainable partnerships to benefit the broader community, especially in community-based forest management and enhancing the welfare of forest farmers.
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