Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) lecturers from UNY involved in the course “Environmental Science and Natural Resource Conservation” joined forces with Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia (SBI) to provide students with real-world insight into wildlife conservation—specifically the endemic proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus).

The lecturers involved were Dr. Anggi Tias Pratama, S.Pd., M.Pd.; Rio Christy Handziko, M.Pd.; and Dr. Agung Wijaya Subiantoro, M.Pd.

SBI, a non-profit organisation founded in 2013 in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, focuses on efforts to rescue the proboscis monkey—a species listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2000.

The collaborative course enabled students to gain comprehensive understanding of the monkey’s conservation status, threats from habitat loss, land-use change, and illegal hunting.

Amalia Rezeki of SBI emphasised the important role of universities and students as agents of change: “We believe young people, especially students, can raise awareness of conservation issues. Through collaboration with UNY, we seek to instil awareness that protecting the proboscis monkey means protecting Kalimantan’s ecosystem.”

Dr. Anggi Tias Pratama added: “With this activity, students do not just learn theory in the classroom, but also directly recognize conservation challenges in the field. This will foster both empathy and responsibility for environmental sustainability.”