Bogor, 2026 — SEAMEO BIOTROP, in collaboration with Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), has strengthened the professional English communication skills of 29 staff members through the Capacity Building for Staff on English Short Course. The program, which had been taking place online since July 1, 2026, wrapped up with a warm closing ceremony and certificate presentation at the Jati Room, SEAMEO BIOTROP, Bogor, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The program was designed to enhance staff members' professional communication skills and confidence in using English, supporting SEAMEO BIOTROP's institutional performance and engagement at both national and international levels.

The training was delivered in partnership with the English Language Education Department, Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture (FBSB), UNY, which served as the training provider and contributed expert instructors. The course was conducted online every Saturday, allowing staff members to participate effectively while accommodating their work schedules and ensuring the organization's daily operations continued without disruption.

SEAMEO BIOTROP Human Resource Development Manager, Tenni Wahyuni, expressed her appreciation for the partnership with FBSB UNY and the commitment demonstrated by all participating staff members. She highlighted that strengthening English proficiency is a strategic component of human resource development, particularly in an increasingly interconnected professional environment.

According to Tenni, English proficiency plays an important role in supporting a wide range of professional responsibilities, including official correspondence, work meetings, presentations, report writing, and communication with international stakeholders. The structured course was therefore designed to accommodate different levels of English proficiency among staff, ranging from basic to intermediate.

The learning activities focused on developing the four integrated language skills—speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Through a practical and work-oriented approach, the training aimed to equip staff with greater confidence and readiness to engage in cross-border collaboration and professional communication. More broadly, the initiative reflects SEAMEO BIOTROP's commitment to developing globally competitive human resources capable of contributing effectively to international cooperation in tropical biology and related fields.

To mark the program's completion, SEAMEO BIOTROP managers presented certificates of completion at the Jati Room, together with representatives from the English Language Education Department, FBSB UNY.

Through the Capacity Building for Staff on English Short Course, SEAMEO BIOTROP expects the enhanced competencies to translate into greater professionalism in staff members' daily duties and more effective institutional communication. The initiative also represents a continued investment in human resource capacity, strengthening SEAMEO BIOTROP's readiness to communicate, collaborate, and build meaningful partnerships at the international level.

MDM/WK