Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Ayub Sugara, S.Kel., M.Si., a lecturer from the Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Bengkulu, participated in a collaborative research initiative with Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) through the APN Workshop on Science-Based Urban Planning (SciBUSP) Malaysia Chapters, held from 27–29 July 2026 at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur Campus, Malaysia.

The workshop was organized with the support of the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) and served as a regional platform to strengthen collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in advancing science-based approaches to sustainable urban planning. The event brought together participants from across the Asia-Pacific region to exchange knowledge, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhance the integration of scientific evidence into policy and planning processes.

The program was conducted under the APN CBA2025-02-Sutrisno project, led by Prof. Dewayany Sutrisno, M.AppSc from the Climate and Atmospheric Research Center, BRIN. The workshop activities were also supported by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers from BRIN, including Prabu Kresna Putra, S.T., M.T.I., Dionysius Bryan Sencaki, S.T., M.Env., Hari Prayogi, S.Si., M.Si., and Boby Bagja Pratama, S.Kel., M.Si. Their expertise contributed significantly to the delivery of technical sessions, collaborative discussions, and practical exercises throughout the workshop.

Throughout the three-day workshop, participants engaged in a series of expert lectures, technical discussions, and hands-on training sessions utilizing various planning tools and analytical frameworks. The program was specifically designed to demonstrate how scientific evidence can be transformed into informed planning decisions, enabling researchers and policymakers to bridge the gap between research findings and real-world policy implementation.
According to Ayub Sugara, participation in the APN workshop provided valuable opportunities to strengthen both research capacity and international collaboration.

“This workshop provided valuable insights into how scientific research can be translated into practical policy recommendations. Evidence-based planning is essential for developing effective and sustainable solutions, particularly in the fields of coastal and marine resource management, climate change adaptation, and environmental sustainability. The knowledge and experience gained from this program will contribute significantly to my future research, teaching, and community engagement activities at Universitas Bengkulu,” said Ayub.

The participation of Universitas Bengkulu in the APN Workshop on Science-Based Urban Planning (SciBUSP) Malaysia Chapters reflects the university’s commitment to expanding international research collaboration, enhancing academic excellence, and promoting the application of scientific knowledge to address global and regional sustainability challenges.

Through this collaboration with BRIN and the Asia-Pacific research network, Universitas Bengkulu is expected to further strengthen its contribution to interdisciplinary research and evidence-based policymaking. The experience gained from the workshop will also support the development of innovative research initiatives addressing climate change, sustainable urban development, and integrated coastal and marine management, while reinforcing the university’s role as an active contributor to the international scientific community.