Tangerang Selatan, 22 May 2025 – SEAMEO BIOTROP, SEAMEO RECFON, and SEAMEO SEAMOLEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Toba Regency on 22 May 2025. The signing took place at SEAMEO SEAMOLEC, Tangerang Selatan, during the final day of the SEAMEO Indonesia Inter-Centre Collaboration Meeting.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Elis Rosdiawati, Deputy Director for Administration of SEAMEO BIOTROP, and Regent of Toba, Effendi Sintong P. Napitupulu, SE. The agreement covers collaboration in research, capacity building, and information dissemination in the field of tropical biology.

The meeting began with presentations from SEAMEO Centres in Indonesia, each outlining their flagship programs and proposed areas of collaboration with Toba Regency. This was followed by a discussion session between all participants.

In his remarks, Regent Effendi Sintong P. Napitupulu highlighted Toba's rich natural resources, such as frankincense (kemenyan), and other biodiversity assets like endemic medicinal plants, forest ecosystems, and freshwater fisheries. “This collaboration is an opportunity to not only strengthen education and community capacity but also to explore and utilize our local potential through scientific and sustainable approaches,” he said. “Toba Mantap, wujudkan bersama,” he concluded.

A token exchange ceremony followed the signing as a form of appreciation between the parties.

Attending from the Toba Regency Government were Ms. Astita Effendi Napitupulu, BKom (Bunda PAUD of Toba); Drs. Rikardo Hutajulu, M.Pd (Head of the Education, Youth, and Sports Office); Lamhot Mauli Simanjuntak, S.Pd, M.Pd (Head of the Division for PAUD and Non-Formal Education); H. Sovia N. Simanjuntak, S.Tr.IP; Ansel Naibaho; Bernad Marpaung; and Louis Andre Napitupulu, SSTP.

Also present at the event were directors, deputy directors, and representatives from all SEAMEO Centres in Indonesia, who participated in the inter-centre collaboration meeting and expressed support for the initiative.

The scope of the collaboration with SEAMEO BIOTROP includes joint research, training programs for teachers and education personnel, community outreach, and workshops related to sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. The agreement is valid for three years and will be followed by more detailed implementation plans.

With this agreement in place, all parties are encouraged to work closely in turning these plans into measurable outcomes. It is hoped that this collaboration will serve as a model for regional cooperation in education and environmental development, inspiring other local governments to engage with SEAMEO Centres in similar initiatives.