The Primate Research Center of IPB University, in collaboration with the Center for Indonesia Field Study at Central Oregon Community College and the Center for Global Field Study at the University of Washington, successfully held the third annual Field Course in Conservation and Global Health at Pangandaran Recreation Park, from August 10–27, 2025.

This year’s program was especially memorable as it coincided with the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence. In between the field activities, participants joined the local community in celebrating Independence Day on August 17, participating in traditional games and friendly competitions that allowed international students to experience the vibrant spirit of Indonesian culture firsthand.

Over the course of seventeen intensive days, participants—comprising seven students from Central Oregon Community College, three from IPB University, and three from Sebelas Maret University (UNS)—engaged in a combination of lectures, hands-on practices, and individual research projects.

*Animal Behaviour Practice in Pangandaran Nature Reserve*

The lecture series covered a wide range of topics, including primate classification, biodiversity threats, human–wildlife interactions and conflict, global health, field study techniques and awareness, demography, and research ethics. These sessions were complemented by practical field exercises where students learned to operate essential research tools such as drones, GPS units, range finders, and radio telemetry equipment, as well as the traditional blowpipe used in wildlife research.

Each participant also conducted an individual research project, focusing on subjects related to primates, their habitats, or other relevant conservation themes. Notably, two graduate students from IPB University’s Primatology Study Program took part in the course as a three-credit elective, underscoring the academic rigor and interdisciplinary value of this international collaboration.

*Community Outreach at Pangandaran Elementary School*

In the final week, participants carried out a community outreach and environmental education program at SDN 5 Pangandaran, continuing a tradition from previous years. Entirely organized and led by the field course students, the outreach aimed to raise environmental awareness among local elementary students, emphasizing the importance of protecting forests, wildlife, and the broader ecosystem.

The 2025 Field Course in Conservation and Global Health once again demonstrated the value of international collaboration in experiential learning, combining academic instruction, field research, and cultural exchange to inspire the next generation of conservationists and global health advocates.