UNIB Marine Science Lecturer Joins Bengkulu Provincial Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Development Team

Bengkulu – A lecturer from the Marine Science Study Program of the University of Bengkulu (Universitas Bengkulu/UNIB) has been appointed as a member of the Bengkulu Provincial Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Development Team. This involvement highlights the active contribution of UNIB academics in supporting environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient regional development planning.

The Public Consultation on the Regional Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Development Plan (PRKBI-D) was held on 20–21 August 2025 at Hotel Mercure, Bengkulu City. This strategic document will serve as a key reference for the formulation of the Regional Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPD) 2025–2045 and the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) 2025–2029 of Bengkulu Province.

The event was organized by the Provincial Government of Bengkulu in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas RI), the Institute for Research and Community Service of the University of Bengkulu (LPPM UNIB), and was supported by Oxford Policy Management Limited (OPML) through the Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) program. A total of 60 participants attended the consultation, representing government agencies, academia, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Participants included representatives from WALHI, WARSI, AMAN, Ulayat, Cahaya Perempuan Women Crisis Center (WCC), and Mitra Masyarakat Inklusi, ensuring inclusive and multi-stakeholder engagement in the planning process.

In his opening remarks, Heriadi, SKM, MM, Secretary of the Bengkulu Provincial Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida), emphasized the strong commitment of the provincial government to environmental sustainability. He reaffirmed that the Government of Bengkulu Province is committed to realizing development that is both low-carbon and climate-resilient in response to future environmental challenges.

In the preparation of the PRKBI-D document, LPPM UNIB was entrusted to collaborate with OPML, an international consulting firm based in the United Kingdom. This collaboration forms part of the LCDI program initiated by Bappenas RI with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

To support this process, LPPM UNIB established a multidisciplinary, cross-faculty team involving academics such as Dr. Gunggung Senoaji, Dr. Yansen, Dr. Sukisno, Prof. Agus Susatya, Dr. Edra Satmaidi, Yessilia Osira, M.P., and Ayub Sugara, M.Si., under the leadership of the Head of LPPM UNIB as team leader. It is known that Ayub Sugara is a lecturer in marine science at the University of Bengkulu as an expert in coastal and marine mapping in supporting the preparation of the PRKBI-D for Bengkulu Province. This collaboration not only contributes to the formulation of strategic regional development policies but also strengthens the international research network of the University of Bengkulu and reinforces the role of higher education institutions as strategic partners of government in achieving a Green, Resilient, and Sustainable Bengkulu.