The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran (Faperta Unpad), continues to strengthen its commitment to advancing Unpad’s vision as an excellent, inclusive, and impactful higher education institution. This commitment was reflected in an international collaborative learning program with two universities in Belgium, Ghent University (UGent) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). A total of eight Master’s students in Soil Science from Faperta Unpad joined ten students from the International Master Program in Sustainable Land Management (SULAMA) to conduct a field-based Integrated Project. The activity was carried out at a former coal mining site in Kelubir Village, North Kalimantan, serving as a shared learning space built around real-world environmental challenges.
This program provided a valuable opportunity for students from different countries to engage directly with environmental issues through scientific and multidisciplinary approaches. Over two weeks, participants conducted observations and assessments of post-mining land conditions to better understand degradation dynamics and ecosystem restoration potential. The diverse academic backgrounds of the students enriched discussions and strengthened analytical capacity on sustainability-related topics. Through this field-based learning experience, students not only deepened their technical competencies but also developed greater awareness of the social and environmental impacts of extractive activities.
The study site presented complex environmental challenges relevant to post-mining land recovery. Key issues examined included acid sulfate soils, reforestation strategies, land drainage systems, water quality, and soil biodiversity. These conditions turned the area into a natural laboratory for understanding sustainable ecosystem rehabilitation processes. The outcomes of the fieldwork are expected to enhance students’ perspectives in developing more adaptive and science-based land management recommendations.
This activity, conducted from 1–13 February 2026, was made possible through the full support of PT Pesona Khatulistiwa Nusantara (PT PKN), including Director Ir. Tria Suprajeni, M.M., Mine Closure Manager Ir. Eko Prasetio Indarto, and the entire supporting team. During the program, students were supervised by four lecturers: Dr. Ir. Rina Devnita, M.S., M.Sc. and Shantosa Yudha Siswanto, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D. from Unpad, as well as Stefaan Dondeyne, Ph.D. and Prof. Ellen van de Vijver from Belgium. This collaboration strengthened knowledge transfer, broadened academic perspectives, and enriched students’ experience in sustainable land management.
Kegiatan kolaboratif lintas negara ini juga sejalan dengan pencapaian Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), khususnya SDG 15 (Life on Land/Ekosistem Daratan) melalui kajian pemulihan ekosistem pascatambang, serta SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals/Kemitraan untuk Mencapai Tujuan) melalui penguatan kerja sama internasional antara perguruan tinggi dan industri. Melalui program ini, mahasiswa tidak hanya mengasah kompetensi ilmiah dan keterampilan lapangan, tetapi juga memahami pentingnya kolaborasi dalam menjawab persoalan lingkungan secara nyata. Ke depan, model pembelajaran seperti ini diharapkan dapat terus dikembangkan sebagai kontribusi akademik yang berdampak bagi pembangunan berkelanjutan.
English 
Indonesian