The Geography Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), supported by PT Esri Indonesia and the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), held a Geography Days event titled “Geography Today” on Wednesday (October 10th) at the Apung Room, UI Depok.
The event, which ran until Saturday (October 13th), featured a variety of activities, including a national geography seminar aimed at developing the talents of geography students, a national geography Olympiad for high school and university students to foster their interests and potential, workshops, and field trips.
Dr. rer. nat. Abdul Haris, the dean, officially opened the event. In his remarks, he thanked BIG and PT Esri Indonesia for their full support of the event. He also commended the Geography Department Student Association (HMD) for its successful organization.
Haris stated that this event was important because it was part of FMIPA UI’s efforts to bring geography to the wider community. He explained that the scope of geography is relatively broad. Geography studies everything on the Earth’s surface and the factors that influence it, including physical, social, and technical aspects.
However, Haris continued, many people still lack understanding of the scope of geography. Geography is sometimes viewed as a discipline that only requires memorization, even though geography is a complex and applied science.
“Many people also lack knowledge of pure geography and its job prospects. They assume that all geography graduates in higher education will only become teachers,” Haris said.
Echoing Haris, Dr. Supriatna M.T., Head of the Department of Geography, explained that the job prospects for geography graduates are broad and promising. This is because geography plays a vital role in the planning, development, and policy-making processes of development in Indonesia.
“We are here as influencer “For the Indonesian people who have a mission to straighten out and change the mindset about the importance of geography in facing the era of the information society and this era of development,” he said.
It hopes through a series of events Geography Days The 10th FMIPA UI can introduce the discipline of geography as one step to change the way people view this science of geography.
“The hope is that all levels of Indonesian society can become more familiar with, closer to, and understand this scientific discipline,” he added.
Also present at the event were department heads from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, Dr. Achmad Istamar, CEO of PT. ESRI Indonesia, and Prof. Dr. Ir. Hasanuddin Zainal Abidin, M.Sc. Eng., Chair of the BIG.
