RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta – Indonesia has become a living classroom for sustainable waste management, as 25 international students from 17 countries joined a week-long program in Yogyakarta to learn how communities tackle urban waste challenges.

The initiative, titled Municipal Waste Management: Workshop and Field Trip 2026, ran from July 20–26, 2026, and was organized by the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in collaboration with Student Community Service-Community Empowerment Learning (SCS-CEL)

The program attracted participants from diverse backgrounds--ranging from China and Ethiopia to Vietnam and Yemen--after a highly competitive selection process that drew 408 applicants from 42 countries.

This diversity created a dynamic exchange of ideas, with students sharing perspectives on waste management practices in their home countries while experiencing Indonesia’s community-driven approach firsthand.

Chair of UGM’s EQUITY World Class University Program, Irfan Dwidya Prijambada, said the workshop was designed to highlight UGM’s hallmark of community service learning, recognized by UNESCO and the United Nations University.

“This collaboration became a platform for knowledge exchange between international students, UGM students, and local communities, enriching cross-cultural experiences while promoting sustainable solutions,” he explained on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as quoted on UGM official website.

The program combined expert-led discussions, field visits, and direct engagement with residents in Baciro and Terban Villages. Students learned about household waste separation, circular economy practices, and microbial-based organic waste processing.

Field trips to local waste management sites allowed participants to see how communities, government, academia, and private sectors collaborate to maintain cleaner environments.

“Beyond technical exposure, participants discussed challenges in their own countries, creating a cross-cultural dialogue on sustainable waste solutions,” Irfan added.

Event coordinator Susanti Mugi Lestari emphasized the program’s role in strengthening UGM’s global academic presence.

“This international program fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, reinforcing UGM’s position as a world-class university contributing to global challenges,” she said.

Head of the Agricultural Microbiology Study Program, Desi Utami, noted that the initiative also gave UGM students international exposure without leaving campus.

“Through interaction with international peers, students expand networks, improve cross-cultural communication, and open opportunities for future academic and professional collaboration,” she explained.

The diversity of participants--from Africa, Asia, and beyond--turned the workshop into a vibrant hub of international collaboration. Discussions on innovation, policy, and best practices in waste management are expected to spark future research and community projects.

“This program is expected to inspire new waste management innovations that can be implemented across different countries,” Desi concluded.

By hosting this initiative, UGM further strengthened its role as an international learning center for environmental microbiology and sustainable waste solutions.

The program demonstrated how academic institutions can connect global students with local communities to co-create solutions that are innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. ***