Departemen Manajemen

Spanning 20 Countries and 37 Universities, Department of Management IPB University Officially Opens The 9th SAMI Summer Course 2026 to Drive Climate Resilience through ESG

Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM) IPB University responds to the challenges of global climate change and the demands of food sector sustainability by holding an annual international agenda, The 9th Summer Course Sustainable Agrifood Management in Indonesia (SAMI) 2026. This program takes place from July 27 – August 15, 2026, carrying the main theme “Building Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agrifood Management through ESG”. In line with SAMI’s mission since it was first held in 2017 as a space to exchange ideas for students across countries, the organization of SAMI 2026 through this theme is expected to open opportunities and drive global collaboration in realizing an agrifood system that is resilient to climate change and sustainable based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

The program opened through an Opening Ceremony which marked the beginning of cross-country collaboration. The opening event began with the presentation of an official report regarding the implementation of the program (SAMI Course Report) by the Head of the Department of Management IPB University Dr. Eko Ruddy Cahyadi, S.Hut., M.M., who conveyed that this program was attended by students from 20 countries and 37 Universities. Among them are IPB University (Indonesia), Universitas Indonesia (Indonesia), Institut Teknologi Bandung (Indonesia), Universiti Putra Malaysia (Malaysia), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Malaysia), Felcra College Malaysia (Malaysia), Sultan Qaboos University (Oman), Songkhla Rajabhat University (Thailand), Mutah University (Jordan), Kenyatta University (Kenya), Gombe State University (Nigeria), University of Tunis El Manar (Tunisia), to Yezin Agricultural University (Myanmar) and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Brunei Darussalam).

Furthermore, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management IPB University Prof. Dr. Irfan Syauqi Beik, S.P., M.Sc.Ec. delivered a welcome speech to all participants. Then the event was marked by official opening remarks for The 9th SAMI from the Rector of IPB University Dr. Alim Setiawan Slamet, S.T.P., M.Si.

The opening event was also complemented by the screening of an Opening Video as an introduction to welcome participants from various countries.

The organization of the 9th SAMI recorded a broad and inclusive reach of participants. With program execution methods conducted online and offline. Throughout the program, participants were equipped with materials presented by cross-disciplinary professionals from various world universities as well as domestic government institutions and industries.

The series began with Course 1 of The 9th SAMI Summer Course 2026 which was held on July 27, 2026, from 09.30–11.00, raising the topic “Nature-based solution for environmental conservation and the development of agri-food through international cooperation.” This session was moderated by a lecturer of Management FEM IPB, Hafizi, S.Ak., M.Sc., by presenting the speaker Prof. Ho Sang Kang, Ph.D. from Seoul National University (SNU), South Korea.

This session emphasized that the impact of the climate crisis or global boiling is becoming increasingly real through extreme weather, wildfires, to rising sea levels. As a key player in global climate mitigation, Indonesia is encouraged to strengthen peatland restoration and stop deforestation through Nature-based Solutions. In accordance with UN and IPCC directives, ecosystem restoration and the implementation of sustainable agriculture are the most effective steps to suppress carbon emissions, where local communities must be made main actors so that economic and environmental balance can be achieved.

In his presentation, Prof. Ho Sang Kang also emphasized that “Restoration of degraded land is not merely an activity of planting trees. The most important thing is involving local communities as the core of these restoration efforts for the sake of creating long-term livelihoods and sustainability.”

Continued with Course 2, which raised the topic “The Role of Media in Driving Sustainability: Empowering Impact and Sharing for the Viewers”. This course 2 session was moderated again by a lecturer of Management FEM IPB, M. Syaefudin Andrianto S.T.P., M.Sc., presenting Andy Budiman as CEO of KG Media Indonesia who explained the crucial role of media as well as the challenges of the communication industry in guarding environmental and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues.

This session emphasized three main roles of media in sustainability issues, namely building awareness, inspiring action, and ensuring accountability. Andy Budiman highlighted the huge risk of greenwashing reflecting on the Volkswagen dieselgate scandal (2015) which cost more than $30 billion in losses, in line with the attitude of 95% of Indonesian consumers who demand strict sanctions for ESG violations. On the other hand, market potential is very large because around 70% of consumers are willing to switch to ESG-based brands, and products labeled with sustainability grow 2.3 times faster than conventional products. In the midst of media disruption challenges such as the decline in news trust levels to 37% in 2026 as well as the widespread use of AI and social media by young audiences (18-44 years old), KG Media responds through strategies to increase journalism quality, expand cross-platform reach, and diversify revenue outside of advertising.

Both topics provided an overview of the importance of synergy between nature-based innovation and effective communication in facing climate change challenges. Through various activities that will take place until August 15, 2026, The 9th SAMI is expected to continue to be a space for collaboration to jointly develop resilient and sustainable agrifood solutions.