International Students Explore Family Harmony and Sustainability at IPB University’s Summer Course

The Family and Consumer Sciences Study Program, Faculty of Social Science and Human Ecology (FISEMA), IPB University successfully organized the 10th International Summer Course on Family and Consumer Issues: Nurturing Family Harmony for Socio-Ecological Sustainability from 25 May to 26 June 2026. Conducted in a hybrid format, the program integrated self-paced learning, online lectures, and an onsite academic and cultural immersion designed to enrich participants’ understanding of family and consumer issues from a global perspective.

The Summer Course brought together 32 participants, comprising 29 international students from Universiti Putra Malaysia (Malaysia), China Agricultural University (China), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Malaysia), University of the Philippines Los Baños (Philippines), and Singapore University of Social Sciences (Singapore), as well as three students from IPB University. Throughout the month-long program, participants completed learning activities equivalent to four academic credits.

The program was chaired by Nur Islamiah, S.Psi., M.Psi., Ph.D. An introductory online session was held on 6 June 2026 and opened by Dr. Alfiasari, S.P., M.Si., Head of the Family and Consumer Sciences Study Program. The onsite program officially commenced on 22 June 2026 with opening remarks delivered by Prof. Dr. Megawati Simanjuntak, S.P., M.Si., Vice Dean for Academic, Student Affairs, and Alumni of the Faculty of Social Science and Human Ecology, IPB University.

Participants explored various aspects of family and consumer sciences through discussions on family harmony, family well-being, consumer issues, community development, and socio-ecological sustainability. The program featured distinguished speakers from leading universities across the region, including Dr. So Young (Soyoung) Lee, CFLE from Montclair State University (United States); Associate Professor Dr. Ruhaya Hussin from International Islamic University Malaysia, Dr. Suwaibah Zakaria from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and Dr. Rojanah Kahar from Universiti Putra Malaysia; Associate Professor Dr. Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim from Singapore University of Social Sciences; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wimontip Musikaphan from Mahidol University (Thailand); Dr. Casper Agaton and Associate Professor Kristina Cordero-Bailey from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (Philippines). The academic program was further enriched by contributions from IPB University experts, namely Prof. Dr. Ir. Lilik Noor Yuliati, M.F.S.A., Prof. Dr. Ir. Dwi Hastuti, M.Sc.,  Prof. Dr. Ir. Euis Sunarti, M.Si., and Dr. Khalifah Muhammad Ali.

Beyond classroom learning, the onsite program provided participants with experiential learning opportunities through educational visits to several destinations in and around Bogor. Participants visited the Agribusiness and Technology Park (ATP) IPB University to learn about agricultural innovation and sustainable technology; Kampung Wisata Bisnis Tegalwaru to observe community-based entrepreneurship and local economic empowerment; Sekolah Alam Bogor to explore nature-based education for sustainable development; Hutan Wakaf Pamijahan to gain insights into environmental conservation and waqf-based forest management; and Bogor Botanical Gardens to appreciate biodiversity conservation and Indonesia’s rich natural heritage. Participants also toured the IPB University campus, including the IPB Museum, IPB Library, and KOIN IPB, to become familiar with the university’s academic environment, facilities, and history.

The combination of academic discussions, cross-cultural exchanges, and field-based learning enabled participants to connect theoretical perspectives with real-world practices while strengthening intercultural understanding among students from different countries.