Mainstreaming sustainability science to enhance the impacts of “Tridharma” in higher education institution: IPB lessons learned and future direction

Rector, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor 16680, Indonesia

Abstract

The adoption of transdisciplinary approaches to address complexity and uncertainty of the problems has been recommended to formulate the effective solution. Although scientists have been working towards the direction, there have been still little integration on policy and concerted implementation to deal particularly with cross-cutting issues on food security, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and other green development issues. Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) has recently adopted the concept of transdisciplinary and sustainability sciences to better integrate and utilize available resources and management strategies as stated in IPB’s Long-term Plan and in recent policy to establish Center for Transdisciplinary and Sustainability Sciences (IPB-CTSS). The drivers for this policy are actually the already established research, academic and community service consortia in which students, scientists, practitioners and policy makers have been working interdisciplinary towards effective solution for achieving better impacts of IPB Tridharma activities. We will discuss the lessons learned, challenges and opportunities identified as solid foundation to implement the concept for enhancing the better impacts of universities extended obligatory tasks on education, research, community services, innovation and business.