Indonesia and RUDN: Exchange of environmental research insights
During the international seminar, participants exchanged insights on how student-led initiatives can be implemented within university settings.
Student research is an invaluable source of new ideas and bold solutions that play an important role in the development of science.
Among the speakers was Yusriani Mardia Arifin from Indonesia, who presented the results of her research on groundwater potential zoning in the Cisarua area of Bogor district, using cutting-edge GIS technologies.
It is commonly believed that there is an abundance of groundwater in this area, while the study reveals a shortage. I've identified four distinct zones with varying groundwater potential, which will aid in more effective water resource management.
Muhammad Filzah Zulfakar introduced the Mulang project, a UNESCO-supported initiative under the “Youth as Researchers” program. This comprehensive study focuses on the village of Lovokdoro, home to waste pickers, and examines various aspects including spatial, environmental, health, economic, and social factors. The findings aim to develop strategies that can be applied to similar challenges in other villages.
Abigail Tabita highlighted the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving sustainable development in Indonesia. With a large number of these enterprises, she sees a lot of opportunities for a stable growth in the future. Abigail shared her plans to conduct five mentoring sessions, in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, involving around 30 SMEs in each session. This initiative will help these businesses to adapt to evolving market demands, while exporters will gain more opportunities to expand their markets.
International consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability. They are shifting away from unsustainable practices towards more responsible approaches throughout the supply chain!
The international scientific seminar served as a vibrant platform for fostering collaboration between representatives from Russia and Indonesia.
A huge thank you to RUDN, especially the Institute of Ecology, for organizing this science workshop. It allowed us to exchange and share our projects with other international students. I look forward to many more opportunities to connect and expand our understanding of scientific advancements worldwide!
In the latter part of the event, international students were introduced to the diverse scientific activities at the PFUR Institute of Ecology. Pavel Zhigarlovich represented the professional student association “Koster,” sharing insights about the club's scientific expeditions, historical and geographical quests, and volunteer efforts in protected areas. The Indonesian students were particularly captivated by the results of fieldwork conducted on Baikal in early 2024.
Daniil Mironov, Vice Chairman of the Scientific Student Society “GreenLab,” also took the stage to discuss initiatives aimed at engaging students in scientific pursuits. He highlighted the association's efforts to organize lectures with leading experts in various ecological fields, field trips, and intellectual games designed to spark curiosity and involvement.
Seminar “Experience of Participation in Student Organizations as a Way to Build Career Skills,” marked a significant milestone in the decade of environmental science, education, and awareness at RUDN.
In the last five years, academic staff of RUDN alongside the Chinese universities and research centers has achieved impressive results. More than 1,000 scientific publications were made jointly in a wide spectrum from engineering and technology to medicine and social sciences. 19 of these materials were published in top-rated journals which verifies that the works were world-class level.
RUDN University has been included among the leaders in the BRICS ESG University Ranking among 65 leading universities. They were assessed on 20 criteria, ranging from education and research to environmental and social agendas.
At a meeting of the new RUDN University Dissertation Council in the specialties of 2.1.12 “Architecture of Buildings and Structures. Creative Concepts of Architectural Activity” and 2.1.11 “Theory and History of Architecture, Restoration and Reconstruction of Historical and Architectural Heritage”, three postgraduate students — Natalia Kalinina, Evgeny Ogienko, and Yulia Loginova — were awarded PhD degrees in Architecture for the first time in the university's history.