International Project Based Learning with the title "Theory and Practice of Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Use of Ecosystems in a Rural Area" is the realization of the grants for Institutional Development of the International Office (PKKUI) 2019 received by the consortium of Politeknik Negeri Semarang (POLINES) - Politeknik Negeri Jakarta (PNJ) – Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) from the Directorate of Institutional Development, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education.
International Project Based Learning (IPBL) in 2019 was attended by 40 participants from 8 universities namely Universiti Teknologi Mara (Malaysia), Sultan Idris Education University (Malaysia), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (Malaysia), King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (Thailand) , Kasetsart University (Thailand), Politeknik Negeri Jakarta, Universitas Negeri Semarang, and Politeknik Negeri Semarang. Besides coming from different universities, participants also came from various different countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
The International Project Based Learning Program is a collaborative program organized by the International Offices from Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Politeknik Negeri Jakarta, and Universitas Negeri Semarang. What makes the 2019 International Project Based Learning special is that in addition to this program aiming to develop students' experiences in Planning, Renovating and Improving Ecosystem Management Systems, this program also aims to increase their cross-cultural understanding. It is expected that after this program takes place, all participants can compete in this globalization era and become more open to face cultural, ethnic, racial and religious differences.
The opening ceremony of the IPBL 2019 program was held on August 5, 2019 in the Ruang Serba Guna of the Politeknik Negeri Semarang. The program was opened directly by the Director of Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Ir. Supriyadi, M.T. The IPBL program will last for 8 days until August 12, 2019. Other than Politeknik Negeri Semarang campus, a series of IPBL activities will also take place in various locations including the Universitas Negeri Semarang campus, the north coast of Central Java for mangrove conservation activities, the Munding tourism village and some elementary schools in the Semarang area to educate elementary students about the importance of sanitation and conservation.
