Sabila Nabichati, a recent master’s graduate from the Faculty of Forestry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and a junior researcher at the Sebijak Institute, proudly represented Indonesia in the final round of Asia-Pacific Young Scientists Association (AYSA) Three Minute Thesis (3MT) virtual competition held on 30 November 2024. Competing alongside a fellow UGM doctoral student, Sabila stood out among 15 finalists from leading universities across the Asia-Pacific region.
AYSA’s 3MT competition was Sabila’s second major academic challenge. She previously competed in an abstract competition hosted by the Faculty of Forestry UGM, securing 5th place against graduate and doctoral students across Indonesia. Her strong performance in this event earned her a recommendation to participate in the AYSA 3MT. Co-organized by the College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, China, and the University of British Columbia, AYSA’s competition gathered 30 semi-finalists from universities in Australia, China, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, with only 15 advancing to the final.
Sabila’s research, titled Adapting Together: Bridging Agroforestry Farmers and Local Government for Climate Resilience, focuses on the adaptation efforts of agroforestry farmers and local government officials on Sumbawa, an island increasingly vulnerable to drought due to climate change. Her study explores how effective adaptation requires bridging national policies with community-led initiatives to build climate resilience. Under the guidance of her advisors, Dwiko Budi Permadi, Ph.D., and Prof. Dr. Budiadi, Sabila’s research examines 15 adaptation strategies across three key areas. Her research presentation demonstrated how collaboration between farmers and local officials is vital for crafting comprehensive climate adaptation strategies. The findings emphasise the importance of prioritising local adaptation efforts and fostering a unified response to the climate crisis, providing crucial insights for policymakers and communities alike.
This accomplishment highlights the global relevance of Sabila’s work and underscores the essential role young scientists play in addressing today’s environmental challenges. For further information, visit AYSA’s official website or follow updates from Sebijak Institute and the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada.