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Integrating between Malay culture and conservation in Green campus program:

Best practices from Universitas Riau, Indonesia

Conference Paper  in  AIP Conference Proceedings · November 2017

DOI: 10.1063/1.5012714

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Integrating between Malay culture and conservation in Green campus program: Best
practices from Universitas Riau, Indonesia
Suwondo, Darmadi, and Mohd. Yunus

Citation: AIP Conference Proceedings 1908, 030014 (2017);

View online: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5012714
View Table of Contents: http://aip.scitation.org/toc/apc/1908/1
Published by the American Institute of Physics
 Integrating Between Malay Culture and Conservation
In Green Campus Program: Best Practices
From Universitas Riau, Indonesia
Suwondo1, a), Darmadi1 and Mohd. Yunus1
1
Universitas Riau, Kampus Bina Widya, Simpang Baru Km 12,5 Pekanbaru 28293, Indonesia
a)
Corresponding author: suwondo@lecturer.unri.ac.id

Abstract. Green campus program (GCP) is a policy to optimize the role of the University of Riau in implementing
sustainable development. Green campus development is done by integrating Malay culture and conservation in every
implementation of the program. We identify the biophysical, economic and socio-cultural characteristics as well as the
problems encountered in the campus environment. This study uses desk study, survey, and focus group discussion
(FGD). GCP analysis is divided into several stages, namely assess problem, design, implementation, monitor, evaluate
and adjust. Bina Widya Campus of Universitas Riau has a good biodiversity of flora and fauna with species
characteristics in lowland tropical forest ecosystems. Plant species of the Dipterocarpaceae family are the dominant
species, whereas fauna is from reptile, leaves, and mammals. Efforts to maintain and enhance species diversity are
undertaken by designing and constructing Arboretum and Ecoedupark for the ex situ conservation of flora and fauna. The
enrichment of species is carried out by planting vegetation types that are closely related to Malay culture. On the other
hand, the management of the green campus faces challenges in the diverse perceptions of stakeholders with low levels of
academic participation. Economically the existence of the campus provides a multiplier effect on the emergence of
various economic activities of the community around the campus. Implementation of green university campus of Riau
University by integrating Melayu culture and conservation contributes to the creation of green open space which is
increasingly widespread and able to support sustainable development, especially in Pekanbaru City.

INTRODUCTION
Indonesia is a country with abundant natural resources and immense biodiversity. This makes Indonesia’s
emphasis on sustainable development important not just to them, but to the rest of the world as well1. These efforts
require collective action with a strong and consistent commitment base, including universities. Universities can play
a significant role in transforming education and society toward a sustainable future2,3.
Universitas Riau (UR) is committed to implementing sustainable development integrated into Tri Dharma
(education, research, and community services). This commitment is translated into the Green Campus Program
(GCP) that accommodates a wide range of local potentials, including intellectual potential and physical potential.
This paper presents the best practices in Universitas Riau for integrating Malay culture and conservation in GCP.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
This study is a combination of case study and action research. We are involved as a GCP work unit at the UR,
where we have already planned and coordinated the implementation. We identify the biophysical, economic and
socio-cultural characteristics as well as the problems encountered in the campus environment. This study uses desk
study, survey, and focus group discussion (FGD). GCP analysis is divided into several stages, namely assess
problem, design, implementation, monitor, evaluate, and adjust4.

8th International Conference on Global Resource Conservation (ICGRC 2017)

AIP Conf. Proc. 1908, 030014-1–030014-4; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5012714
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1600-0/$30.00

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 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Bina Widya Campus of UR has a good diversity of flora and fauna with species characteristics in lowland
tropical forest ecosystems. Plant species of the Dipterocarpaceae family are the dominant species, such as Keruing
(Dipterocarpus sp), Kempas (Kompassia malaccensis), and Balam (Palaquium sp). The type of fauna consists of 2
phyla, namely Chordata and Arthropoda. Phylate Chordata consists of 4 classes of amphibians, reptiles, aves, and
mammals, while the arthropod phyla is an insecta class. This diversity indicates that UR ecosystems still have a
good carrying capacity. Economically, campus operations provide a multiplier effect on the emergence of various
economic activities of the community around the campus
Various efforts to protect and manage the environment that has been done so far have not provided optimal
results. GCP provides an opportunity to unite commitments and actions in collective action. GCP initiation begins
by forming a work unit in charge of preparing GCP Masterplan. This team was formed through the Rector's Decree
and obtained funding from UR's Research and Community Service Institution. We have identified and analyzed the
stages of GCP (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1. Representation of the GCP

Assess problem
The assessment problem is the first step of the GCP (Figure 1 (1)), where we conduct focus group discussions
(FGD) with relevant stakeholders, both internal and external. We conclude that various activities within UR's
campus operations put pressure on ecosystem sustainability. Environmental management efforts undertaken so far
are still partial and reactive. On the other hand, UR is committed to sustainable development. The solution to this
problem needs to be realized in a management plan that focuses on an objective, decision-relevant, integrated,
transparent, participative, and iterative. Therefore, UR implements GCP as a guide to sustainability campus.

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 Design
Design or planning prepares for real-world implementation and incorporate a range of possible futures and be
tailored to stakeholder inputs5. We follow up on the recommendations obtained from the first step through the desk
study, where we integrate various sustainability campus indicators from UI GreenMetric, Green Council Building
Indonesia, UR's Masterplan, and Environmental Permit. In addition, we also carry out thematic research to
determine the existing conditions and develop management plans for each theme, including ecology, hydrology,
economics, social culture, education, and ecotourism (Figure 2). Conservation efforts are developed from ecological
and hydrological aspects, as this is the main component of the UR ecosystem. We take a variety of philosophies
contained in Malay culture. For example, we designed the reservoir to resemble the shape of the fish body Selais
(Kryptopterus bicirrhis), because this type of fish is an icon of Pekanbaru City. We also take this philosophy to be
integrated into education in UR. Education is always the central mission of universities, as the universities have a
significant impact on their students' attitudes and knowledge development 6.

FIGURE 2. GCP’s design

Implement
Efforts to maintain and enhance species diversity are undertaken by designing and constructing Arboretum and
Ecoedupark for the ex situ conservation of flora and fauna. The enrichment of species is carried out by planting
vegetation types that are closely related to Malay culture. In addition, we also develop Selais lake as an effort to
conserve local fish species, such as Baung (Mystus nemurus), Patin (Pangasius sp), and Selais (Kryptopterus
bicirrhis). All of these physical potentials are then used as a learning resource based on the environment and Malay
culture. UR has various courses related to Malay cultures, such as "Malay culture" and "bioetnomelayu." The
presence of nuances of Malay culture is one of the efforts to maintain the existence of this culture itself, combined
with local wisdom and interactions oriented to sustainability.

Monitor
The GCP work unit in cooperation with the rectorate and internal supervisory unit performs GCP monitoring.
This monitoring not only aims to control every stage of GCP but also performs continuous improvement.

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 Implementation of GCP by integrating Malay culture and conservation contributes to the creation of green open
space, which is increasingly widespread and able to support sustainable development, especially in Pekanbaru City.

Evaluate
Evaluation is explicitly focused both on the efficacy of the intervention (management objectives) and on
increasing understanding of the system being managed (learning objectives)7. We do periodic evaluations at each
stage of GCP. The main challenges are the diverse perceptions of stakeholders and low levels of participation. Some
research results indicate that the low participation of the university administrators could obstruct the implementation
of the GCP 8,9,10. We are aware that UR has not conducted a comprehensive socialization of GCP so that many
stakeholders are not aware of this GCP. For example, there is a low allocation of funds for research with the theme
of GCP. This is due to the perception that GCP has not become a priority. The slowing economy has affected higher
education institutions, and they have had to cut budgets by reducing expenditure. Money has been reallocated to
priority goals, and research on sustainability is not the first priority for many universities11.

Adjust
Adjustment is thus a process of information synthesis and communication as well as enhanced decision making
and the point at which significant learning occurs12. To optimize GCP by integrating Malay culture and
conservation, UR should place emphasis on: (1) policy aspect (validation of GCP masterplan, action plan, and
standard operating procedures); (2) aspects of institutions (GCP management bodies, cooperation with government
and private parties, and strengthening human resource capacity); (3) aspects of governance (internal communication
mechanism, and distribution of authority).

SUMMARY
GCP aims to implement the UR commitment in sustainable development. This program is working well,
although there are still evaluations for future improvements. The main challenges are the diverse perceptions of
stakeholders and low levels of participation. Therefore, the UR should place emphasis on: (1) the policy aspect; (2)
the institutional aspect; (3) aspects of governance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to ICGRC 2017 committee to select my paper to be published in
this proceeding as well as the technical editing and proofreading this manuscript.

REFERENCES
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2014), pp. 7–70.
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6. X. Yuan, J. Zuo, and D. Huisingh, J. Clean. Prod. 61, 36 (2013).
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Institutions, Methods Pract., edited by G.P. Macey and J.Z. Cannon (Springer US, Boston, MA, 2007), pp. 89–
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8. A. Ryan, D. Tilbury, P.B. Corcoran, O. Abe, and K. Nomura, Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ. 11, 106 (2010).
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10. W. Zhao and Y. Zou, Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ. 16, 491 (2015).
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12. B.T. Bormann, P.G. Cunningham, M.H. Brooks, V.W. Manning, and M.W. Callopy, Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-
GTR-34, 32 (1994).

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