GIZ through the Forests and Climate Change Programme (FORCLIME) has been working in synergy with the University of Ottow Geissler Papua (UOGP) since 2021. Activities undertaken to date include the development of a Spatial Data and Mapping Management Center, the development of the Nyei Toro Forestry Education and Training Forest (Hutan Diklat) and an internship program for UOGP students. In terms of the Spatial Data and Mapping Management Center, FORCLIME has prepared an overall concept document for the institution, undertaken an analysis of education and training requirements based on the identification of training needs, and has also examined a number of suitable training methods that should hopefully be able to increase the capacities of UOGP lecturers in the future.

In order to catch up with developments relating to this ongoing synergy, the Country Director of GIZ Indonesia, ASEAN & Timor Leste and the German Embassy, accompanied by the FORCLIME Team, visited the University of Ottow Geissler Papua in Jayapura, Papua Province on 13 August 2022. The delegation was well received by UOGP Vice Chancellor, George M. Satya, M.Sc., Ph.D., and the meeting was also attended by the Dean and Deputy Dean from the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Affairs (FPKK), as well as the FPKK Forestry Study Program. Also present were two representatives of the Necheibe Customary People, specifically Mr. Daniel Toto and Mrs. Orpa Nari, one of Woman Leaders of the Papuan People's Assembly of Papua Province.

Recent progress in terms of the development of the Nyei Toro Education and Training Forest includes the drawing up of a Decree of the Jayapura Regent, which gives the Education and Training Forest official legitimacy. Moreover, the UOGP team is currently preparing a document for further review by the Legal Bureau of the Jayapura Regency Regional Secretariat.

Recently, the University of Ottow Geissler through the Forestry Study Programme finished work on a management plan for the Nyei Toro Education and Training Forest as a follow-up to the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process which was implemented back in November 2021.

In 2022, the University of Ottow Geissler Papua and FORCLIME agreed that two students would undertake an internship at FORCLIME for a period of six months through the Independent Learning Independent Campus (Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka) scheme.

For more information, please contact:
Ruben Yogi, Junior Adviser for GIS and Forest Mapping
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces