International Summer Course Program 2025 Departemen Sains Komunikasi dan pengembangan masyarakat FEMA – IPB

The Department of Communication and Community Development Sciences (SKPM), Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University, successfully held its annual international program, The 6th Summer Course SKPM 2025, with the theme “Communication, Social Innovation, Natural Resources Governance in the Digital Era.” The program took place from July 21 to August 1, 2025, involving 51 participants from IPB University and Kasetsart University, Thailand.

The theme was chosen to emphasize the crucial role of communication and social innovation in promoting sustainable natural resource governance in the digital era. The use of digital technology enabled broader participation, strengthened cross-sector collaboration, and fostered innovative solutions to address social and environmental challenges in a more inclusive manner.

Throughout the program, participants gained comprehensive learning experiences through a combination of in-class lectures and field practice. In the first week, they attended lectures delivered by distinguished international experts from Australian National University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kasetsart University Thailand, University of Reading, and Wageningen University and Research. In the second week, participants engaged directly with rural and urban communities in Indonesia to experience local life, understand real-world challenges, and design social innovations as potential solutions. These activities sharpened their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while encouraging the development of new ideas for community development.

The program also provided a space for cross-cultural learning and international exchange. One participant from Thailand shared, “Thank you for creating such beautiful memories & unforgettable moments. I’ve never regretted choosing to come to Indonesia—not even for a single day, because it led me to meet such lovely and amazing friends.” Another added, “It’s a wonderful moment for me and my other friends from Thailand. It makes us feel like home, we don’t get anything about being homesick.” Through this summer course, the Department of SKPM IPB University strengthened its role in advancing community development and nurtured a new generation of young leaders who are critical, innovative, and globally competitive.