Visit of the WULS-SGGW Delegation to IPB University in Indonesia

On 20–21 February 2026, a delegation from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW) visited IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia. The meeting marked another stage in the development of academic cooperation between the two universities and in the work on the joint double degree master’s programme “Landscape Architecture under Climate Change,” implemented within the KATAMARAN project funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).

The Polish delegation consisted of Prof. Marta Mendel, PhD, DSc, First Vice-Rector; Prof. Justyna Franc-Dąbrowska, PhD, DSc, Director of the Doctoral School; Wojciech Ciechanowski, MA, and Karolina Lipska, MA, from the Teaching Excellence Office. The delegation was officially received at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta), IPB University. The meeting was attended by representatives of the faculty authorities, the leadership of the department, and members of the academic staff of the landscape architecture programme. The discussion focused on the joint double degree programme implemented by IPB University and on opportunities for further development of cooperation. Among the topics discussed were the organisation of guest lectures, the development of joint doctoral programmes, student participation in summer schools, and collaboration within the International Symposium on Sustainable Landscape Design (ISSLD).

During the visit, we also had the opportunity to become familiar with the faculty’s teaching facilities. We toured staff workspaces, the dean’s office, lecture halls, computer laboratories, and the design studios of the Department of Landscape Architecture, where master’s level classes are conducted. Meetings with academic staff provided valuable insight into the education of landscape architecture students in a tropical climate context and allowed for the exchange of experiences regarding teaching methods and research activities.

An integral part of the visit also included field and cultural visits, which enabled the Polish delegation to better understand the natural and cultural context of Indonesia. At the Bogor Botanical Gardens, we explored the richness of tropical flora and discussed approaches to managing large green spaces in equatorial climates. We then visited Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Jakarta, where we learned about the diversity of cultural landscapes across the Indonesian archipelago. During our visit to Jakarta’s Old Town, we also had the opportunity to experience the tradition of wayang shadow theatre, an important element of the region’s cultural heritage.

During the visit, we also signed a cooperation agreement between WULS-SGGW and IPB University, which provides the foundation for implementing the joint master’s programme. Students will complete part of their studies at both universities and, upon graduation, will receive diplomas from both institutions. At the same time, the partners plan to expand their cooperation to include the possibility of joint doctoral programmes within the WULS Doctoral School.

The meeting in Bogor was an important step in building a long-term partnership between the universities. Direct discussions, shared field visits, and the exchange of teaching experiences helped deepen our understanding of the challenges facing landscape architecture in different climate zones and created a solid basis for further development of scientific and educational cooperation.