PRESS RELEASE: Geography Education Study Program of FKIP UNS Hosts Visiting Top Professor from the University of Waterloo, Canada to Strengthen International Collaboration and Research Excellence
Surakarta, Indonesia – April 24, 2026 – The Undergraduate Geography Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), successfully organized the Visiting Top Professor Program from April 20–24, 2026. The program featured Assoc. Prof. Dr. Brent Doberstein from the University of Waterloo, Canada, an internationally recognized scholar specializing in disaster management, climate change adaptation, environmental governance, and resilient community development.
The program was funded through the UNS Equity Fund 2025 – Visiting (Inviting) Top Professor Scheme and led by Dr. Pipit Wijayanti, Head of the Undergraduate Geography Education Study Program, FKIP UNS. The initiative reflects UNS’s commitment to enhancing internationalization, strengthening academic excellence, and expanding global research partnerships.
Carrying the theme “From Disaster Management to Sustainable Governance – Advancing Partnerships for Resilient Communities,” the program aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange, research capacity building, and international collaboration in addressing contemporary challenges related to disasters, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.
One of the major activities was an international guest lecture attended by undergraduate and graduate students, lecturers, and researchers. During the session, Dr. Doberstein shared global perspectives and practical experiences in disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, sustainable governance, and community resilience. The lecture provided participants with valuable insights into current international research trends and policy approaches in these fields.
The program also included an academic field trip to Kampung Sewu, Surakarta, and Ngargoyoso, Karanganyar Regency, allowing participants to observe local practices in disaster risk reduction, environmental management, and community-based resilience initiatives. The field activities provided opportunities to connect theoretical concepts with real-world applications while fostering discussions on sustainable development challenges at the local level.
To support research quality improvement, the program offered a research methodology workshop for students and academic staff. The workshop focused on strengthening research design, conceptual framework development, scientific writing skills, and publication strategies. Participants received guidance on preparing manuscripts targeted for publication in high-impact international journals, particularly those indexed in Scopus Q1.
Another significant outcome of the program was the initiation of international research proposal development and collaborative research planning between Universitas Sebelas Maret and the University of Waterloo. This collaboration is expected to create opportunities for future joint research projects, international funding applications, scholarly publications, and long-term academic partnerships.
According to Dr. Pipit Wijayanti, Head of the Undergraduate Geography Education Study Program and Chair of the Visiting Top Professor Program, the initiative represents an important milestone in strengthening the international academic network of UNS.
“This program provides valuable opportunities for our students and faculty members to engage directly with leading international scholars. We hope that the collaboration established through this initiative will continue through joint research projects, international publications, and competitive research proposals that contribute to both scientific advancement and societal resilience,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Brent Doberstein emphasized the importance of international partnerships in addressing increasingly complex global challenges, including climate change, disaster risks, and sustainable development. He highlighted that collaboration among universities, governments, and communities is essential for building resilient and adaptive societies.
Through this program, the Undergraduate Geography Education Study Program of FKIP UNS further demonstrates its commitment to becoming a center of excellence in geography education and research with international recognition. The presence of a world-class scholar through the Visiting Top Professor Program is expected to strengthen academic culture, enhance research productivity, and expand global partnerships that contribute to sustainable and resilient community development.
About the Visiting Professor
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Brent Doberstein is a faculty member of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo, Canada. His research interests include disaster management, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, post-disaster reconstruction, institutional capacity building, environmental governance, and sustainable development.
Organizer
Undergraduate Geography Education Study Program
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP)
Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Indonesia
Program Theme
VISITING TOP PROFESSOR
From Disaster Management to Sustainable Governance – Advancing Partnerships for Resilient Communities