Bogor, 07 April 2026 – After a period of not receiving in-person visits, the SEAMEO BIOTROP Library has resumed its educational visit program by welcoming students from Batutis Al-Ilmi Elementary School, Bekasi. This activity marks an important moment in revitalizing the role of the library as an interactive and inspiring learning space for young learners.

The visit was attended by 41 students, accompanied by 10 teachers, aiming to provide out-of-class learning experiences through direct observation activities. The program began with a welcoming and introductory session about the SEAMEO BIOTROP Library, including its collections, services, and its role as an information center in the field of tropical biology.

The Manager of the Knowledge Management Department, Haritz Cahya Nugraha, expressed his enthusiasm for the resumption of library visits. He hopes this moment will serve as a starting point in reactivating the library’s function as an open and dynamic literacy space. A similar sentiment was shared by librarian Woro Kanti, who was delighted to once again interact directly with students and guide them in their learning process.

The foundation representative, Siska, also expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome from SEAMEO BIOTROP. She stated that this was the school’s first visit to SEAMEO BIOTROP. “Field trips like this are expected to serve as an initial step in broadening students’ knowledge, particularly on conservation issues, which are one of the learning themes at Baitutis Al-Ilmi Elementary School,” she said.

Furthermore, she explained that students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are gradually introduced to learning environments beyond the classroom, including visits to research facilities, to provide them with deeper learning experiences. She also expressed hope that this activity would deliver long-term benefits and become a meaningful part of the students’ learning journey.

Throughout the visit, students demonstrated high enthusiasm. In addition to exploring the library, they also visited several laboratory facilities and learning areas, including the hydroponic greenhouse, aquaponics facility, stingless bee garden, mushroom cultivation unit, fish farming area, and the tissue culture laboratory. The interactive and engaging learning environment provided students with new experiences in understanding concepts that were previously only learned in the classroom.

With the reopening of library visits, SEAMEO BIOTROP hopes to continue contributing to the strengthening of scientific literacy while fostering curiosity and environmental awareness from an early age. SEAMEO BIOTROP also welcomes schools, educational institutions, and the general public interested in organizing similar educational visits. With a spirit of sharing knowledge and experience, the BIOTROP Library is ready to become a learning partner in supporting more contextual and sustainable education.