Bogor, 30 September 2025 — SEAMEO BIOTROP concluded the Capstone Internship Batch 2 program with a closing ceremony and student presentations held at the Center’s Ruang Jati. The event marked the end of a three-month internship program, which took place from July to September 2025 and involved 25 students from universities across Indonesia.

Deputy Director for Administration, Dr. Elis Rosdiawati, and Deputy Director for Programs, Dr. Doni Yusri, attended the closing alongside senior researcher Dr. Supriyanto, academic supervisors, BIOTROP mentors, and departmental managers. In her remarks, Dr. Elis highlighted the transformative impact of the program, stating, “This internship does not only shape scientific skills but also builds confidence, teamwork, and leadership. We hope the knowledge and experiences you gained here become a strong foundation for your future contribution to society and science.”

Program Coordinator Ms. Tenni Wahyuni, Manager of the Human Resources and Administration Department, reported that the internship provided both academic and practical experiences through research, scientific discussions, and professional skill-building. “This program trained students not only in research methods but also in discipline, cross-sector collaboration, and scientific communication. We hope these experiences equip them to face future academic or professional challenges,” she noted.

Throughout the internship, students engaged in laboratory and field-based projects and contributed to BIOTROP’s flagship initiatives under the School of Biodiversity. Activities included a public lecture by Dr. Doni Yusri, mid-term reflections, and field visits to partner institutions for the development of educational video modules on topics such as tissue culture of gaharu, hydroponic NFT systems, seaweed biodiversity, geospatial technology, lingzhi mushroom cultivation, citronella utilization, and school land management.

During the closing event, 11 groups of student presenters showcased their research and project outcomes. The presenters represented a diverse range of universities across Indonesia, including IPB University, Universitas Padjadjaran, Universitas Siliwangi, Universitas Khairun, Universitas Musi Rawas, Universitas Islam Riau, Universitas Hasanuddin, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Universitas Brawijaya, and Politeknik Kelapa Sawit Citra Widya Edukasi. Their projects covered topics from essential oil production and hydroponic farming to DNA barcoding, GIS and remote sensing applications, curriculum validation for the School of Biodiversity, and social science approaches to biodiversity education. Faculty supervisors and BIOTROP mentors provided feedback and recommendations, underscoring the academic rigor and practical relevance of the students’ work.

One participant reflected on the value of the program, sharing that the internship not only strengthened their scientific skills but also built friendships and networks that will last beyond the program. The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Doni Yusri, who encouraged the interns to continue contributing to sustainable development and tropical biology research in their future careers.

With the success of its second batch, the Capstone Internship Program reaffirms BIOTROP’s commitment to nurturing young talents in tropical biology and creating meaningful linkages between higher education and applied research across Southeast Asia.