RWTH students are committed to the mangrove protection in Indonesia

RWTH students are committed to the mangrove protection in Indonesia

RWTH Aachen is currently active in Indonesia to do something for environmental protection and to promote important research on mangrove forests. These efforts are part of a comprehensive cooperation with several Indonesian universities that not only benefits the environment, but also promotes the exchange of knowledge and research opportunities.

The meaning of the mangroves

mangrove forests play a crucial role in coastal protection and the regulation of the climate by protecting coasts from erosion and serving as a habitat for numerous animal species. In view of the daily challenges of climate change, the protection of these ecosystems is essential. UNESCO declared July 26th to protect the mangrove ecosystems in order to raise awareness of their importance.

The project in Indonesia

A team of RWTH, consisting of ten students and two doctoral students, is now on the north coast of Java to support the growth and continued existence of the mangrove forests. Under the direction of Professor Thomas Rüde, an expert in hydrogeology and cooperation officers with Indonesia, the local influence of salt water on the coastal areas is examined as part of an off -road exercise. The commitment of the students shows how important it is to gain practical experience and to actively contribute to environmental protection.

cooperation partner on site

As part of the “Java Triple: Volcanism, Seawater and People” project, RWTH not only works independently, but also together with students and researchers from the Indonesian partner universities: the Technical University in Bandung, the Diponegoro University in Semarang and the Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. These collaborations are not new; RWTH has been maintaining close contacts to these institutions for years. For example, she operates a laboratory for geoscientific research in Yogyakarta. In addition, a new contract was signed that provides for the establishment of the "Circular Economy Doctoral Scholarship Program" to finance up to 15 promotional grants to RWTH for the next five years.

effects on the community

A visit to the RWTH delegation not only affects the academic circles, but also on local communities. Planting mangrove not only protects the environment, but also a value for the coming generations is created. This exchange helps to increase awareness of environmental issues in Indonesia and shows how important international cooperation is in science.

The activities of RWTH Aachen in Indonesia are proof of commitment to global environmental research. It remains to be seen which further steps and progress are taken in this important cooperation in order to support both the academic and the local community in Indonesia.

- Nag