Wetenschap - 2 februari 1995

Experimenting with MSc Presentations

Three MSc Students from Tropical Forestry [TF] participated in an experiment on Tuesday January 24th. This was the first colloquium to be held for and by TF MSc students. Presenting one's thesis is not a mandatory component of the Tropical Forestry course at present, but the MSc Course Committee for TF used this occasion to evaluate whether or not it should not become a fixed feature in the future. Students Jef Sinajin from Malaysia, Lubis Saodah of Indonesia and Zambian Joyce Chikudze presented the results of their theses which all touched upon various aspects of forest management. Mr. Sinajin, began the session presenting his thesis, Indigenous Forest Management [IFM]: A Realistic Option for Sustainable Forest Management for Lingkabau Forest Reserve [in Sabah state, Malaysia].

During his 30 minute presentation, Jef discussed two separate indigenous peoples settlements, and he analyzed the nature and scope of their forest management practices. He concluded that IFM is definitely a sustainable means of forestry management. The presentation which really counts will be the one which Jef makes to his superiors and other personnel from the Forestry Service when he returns to Malaysia. He hopes that they too will realize that indigenous peoples knowledge should be treated with respect. According to Mr. Wiersum, the colloquium organizer, if the presentation of theses becomes a permanent feature of the TF MSc programme, it will provide the students with an important opportunity to practise before doing the same thing at home.