Bogor, Indonesia – The opening ceremony of the IPB Summer Course on Waqf Forest and Social Forestry was successfully held at IPB University from June 22-26, 2026, bringing together students, academics, and experts from various institutions and countries. The program was organized by IPB University in collaboration with partner universities, including Universitas Darussalam Gontor, UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo, and Universiti Putra Malaysia. The event marked the beginning of an international academic program focused on sustainable forestry, community empowerment, and environmental conservation.

The summer course attracted a diverse group of international participants from The Gambia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Bangladesh, Yemen, China, and Singapore. The participation of students from different cultural and academic backgrounds created an excellent platform for international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and intercultural understanding. Among the active participants was Mamudou Bah, a student in the Digital Business Study Program at the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI), UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta. Representing the university, Mamudou Bah actively engaged in discussions and networking activities with fellow participants from different countries, reflecting the growing international exposure of FEBI students.

During the opening session, the organizers introduced the objectives and agenda of the summer course. Participants were informed about a series of academic lectures, discussions, field visits, and community engagement activities related to waqf forests and social forestry. The program aims to provide participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in sustainable forest management while highlighting the role of local communities in conserving forest resources. Mamudou Bah showed strong enthusiasm and actively participated in the program, demonstrating the Digital Business Study Program of FEBI UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta's commitment to fostering globally minded students with a strong concern for sustainability and social impact.

The opening ceremony concluded with welcoming remarks from university representatives and organizers, who emphasized the importance of global cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. Participants expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming activities and looked forward to learning from experts, engaging with local communities, and building international networks. The event officially launched a meaningful academic journey that combines education, sustainability, and cross-cultural exchange while strengthening international academic collaboration among participating institutions.