Aceh Tengah, September 2, 2024 – To strengthen the synergy between academia and government, the Biology Department of Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) organized a collaborative event with the Aceh Tengah Regency Government. The event, held on Monday, September 2, 2024, at SMA Negeri 1 Takengon, aimed to integrate biological sciences into various aspects of local government policies and programs.

The event was attended by prominent academics from the USK Biology Department, including the Head of the Biology Department, Prof. Lenni Fitri, S.Si., M.P., and the Head of the Master’s Program in Biology, Essy Harnelly, M.Si., Ph.D. This collaboration is an initiative to apply biological sciences practically in the development and management of resources in Aceh Tengah, particularly in the fields of agriculture, forestry, environmental management, and public health.

Applying Biological Sciences in Governance

This collaboration involved various government agencies in Aceh Tengah Regency, with the hope that the biological sciences developed at USK could be directly applied to support sustainable development in the region. Some of the expected applications of biological sciences include sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and the development of local products based on biotechnology.

Remarks from the Regent of Aceh Tengah

In his speech, the Regent of Aceh Tengah emphasized the importance of this collaboration for regional development. He stated, “We highly appreciate this initiative from the USK Biology Department. We hope that this activity will not stop at ceremonial events but will continue with real applications that have a direct impact on the community. The synergy between academics and the government is crucial to achieving sustainable and environmentally conscious development.”

The Regent also highlighted several areas that require the support of biological sciences, such as optimizing environmentally friendly agriculture, sustainable forest and land management, and improving public health through the utilization of local medicinal plants.

Academic Perspectives

Prof. Lenni Fitri, S.Si., M.P., as the Head of the USK Biology Department, expressed that this collaboration is part of USK’s commitment to supporting regional development through the application of scientific knowledge. “We hope this collaboration will open new opportunities for students and researchers in the Biology Department to be directly involved in projects that impact the community. This is a golden opportunity to apply research results on a broader scale,” said Prof. Lenni.

Meanwhile, Essy Harnelly, M.Si., Ph.D., added that this program also serves as a platform for master’s students to participate in activities that have a direct impact on the community. “Through this synergy, we aim not only to produce academically excellent graduates but also those capable of making real contributions to society,” Essy stated.

Future Collaboration

This synergy event is expected to become a model for collaboration between universities and other regional governments. The USK Biology Department plans to continue this program with concrete projects that can be implemented in the long term. Some projects currently in the planning stages include training programs for local farmers, the development of community-based forest conservation, and collaborative research involving students, faculty, and relevant agencies.

This collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to integrating scientific knowledge into public policy, with the ultimate goal of improving the welfare of the Aceh Tengah community through scientific and sustainable approaches.