Internationalization has become part of the performance indicators of universities, and Diponegoro University (UNDIP) is no exception. In addition to UNDIP’s position as an excellent research university and a Legal Entity State University (PTNBH), UNDIP also holds a World Class University (WCU) position. The internationalization of higher education is one of the goals to fulfill the WCU status that UNDIP has owned. In order to achieve one of the WCU indicators, namely the number of international students, the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) proposed a summer course activity for international students named the International Tropical Summer Course (ITroSCo) 2022.

With the Covid-19 pandemic from the beginning of 2020 until now, in 2022, the ItroSCo series of activities will be carried out entirely online/virtually. The series of materials and activities for ItroSCo pre-camp 2022 will be given online by various sources from the UNDIP academic community and agencies from outside UNDIP, both from within and outside the country, such as from Wageningen University & Research The Netherland, and filled with discussions with experts from several institutions, including Diponegoro University, North Sumatra University, Walailak University Thailand, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, AIS forum from Jamaica and inventors of natural batik dyes from Mangrove.

This theme was chosen because Indonesia is one of the countries with the most extensive mangrove forests. In addition, mangroves have many benefits, such as being a habitat for many living things; protecting coastal areas; preventing sea water intrusion, erosion and beach abrasion; having an economic function, and other ecosystem services. The choice of this theme for the IRoSCo pre-camp 2022 aims to introduce the function of the mangrove forest to international students; it also aims to inform them that learning about mangroves is the basis for all of us to be able to conserve and use mangroves more wisely which is one of the steps to protect the environment. Earth is our place of life. Apart from that, it is hoped that this activity can also promote arts and culture in Central Java, such as history, tourist attractions, and cultural acculturation of Semarang City, and introduce the Karimunjawa Islands.

The Opening Ceremony of the International Tropical Summer Course (ITroSCo) 2022 will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 17.00 WIB online through the Zoom meeting platform. Vice-Rector IV attended the ItroSCo 2022 Opening Ceremony, with the Dean of FPIK and his staff, the Head of the Undip Ranking Office, and the participants of ITroSCo 2022. The Dean of FPIK Undip, Prof. Ir. Tri Winarni Agustini, MSc., Ph.D., welcomed the ItroSCo 2022 participants in her speech. “I am happy that even though we are currently in a tough situation due to Covid-19, we can still carry out the ItroSCo 2022 program online,” she said.


Seto Windarto, S.Pi., M.Sc., M.P., the chairperson of ITroSCo 2022

In his report, the Chairperson of ITroSCo 2022, Seto Windarto, S.Pi., M.Sc., M.P., explained that ITroSCo 2022 is the 4th ITroSCo activity and will be held from August 18 to September 01, 2022. ITroSCo 2022 is an annual event organized by the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) to provide a platform for international students to learn more about Indonesia’s beautiful biodiversity, not only marine flora and fauna but also Indonesian cultures, such as the famous Batik and the cultural heritage of Semarang City.

ItroSCo 2022 was attended by 41 participants from 15 countries, including Thailand, Egypt, Guyana, Fiji Island, Bangladesh, Ireland, Solomon Islands, Jamaica, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kenya, Rwanda, Trinidad & Tobago, and Mauritius.
“This program will equip participants with theoretical knowledge about various aspects of the Mangrove and knowledge about the cultural heritage of the City of Semarang and Indonesian batik,” explained Seto Windarto, the Head of the FPIK Undip International Office. “I also extend my deep appreciation to all the speakers willing to share their valuable knowledge with the ItroSCo 2022 participants. Thank you to my super team and all students who have taken the time to help this program. Thanks to The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum for helping us reach more participants in this program.” he concluded.