From July 21 to 31, 2025, graduate students from Mindanao State University at Naawan represented the Philippines at the Highland to Ocean (H2O) Summer Course 2025, an 11-day international program hosted by IPB University in Indonesia. Ms. Marienel A. Laguit, Mr. Alberto A. Barroa II, Ms. Mary Dafeoudelle Jude L. Pagapular, Ms. Berna Louise P. Tabora, Mr. John Carlo L. Garcia, and Mr. Alahden A. Baigan joined participants from across Southeast Asia in a dynamic mix of expert-led lectures, immersive field activities, and cultural exchanges, all centered on the conservation of aquatic and marine ecosystems. The course began in Bogor with lectures on groundwater ecology, marine invertebrates, and coral biodiversity, followed by a visit to the IPB Museum and opportunities to connect with fellow participants. On the third day, the delegation visited Purwakarta Regency’s Cirata Dam and floating solar power plant to learn about Indonesia’s renewable energy initiatives, and even took part in a riparian tree planting activity. The program’s hybrid learning approach allowed for both academic depth and recovery time, with online and in-person sessions covering topics such as antimicrobial resistance, mangrove carbon cycling, marine chemical ecology, and aquatic bioindicators. Students later applied these lessons during fieldwork in Cianjur’s Cibodas Botanical Garden and nearby mountain streams. One of the program’s highlights was the field immersion in Ujung Genteng, where participants engaged in coral transplantation, intertidal and sandy shore biodiversity surveys, and coastal socio-ecology studies. The visit also featured a memorable cultural exchange, with Filipino students introducing “swaki” (sea urchin) to their peers. On July 28, the group visited the Pangumbahan Beach Turtle Conservation Center, where they experienced the rare and moving opportunity to release marine turtle hatchlings into the Indian Ocean. The final fieldwork day took them to Ciletuh Mandrajaya for mangrove planting and biodiversity assessments with the local community, underscoring the link between ecological restoration and community livelihood. The program concluded with research presentations, a lively Cultural Exchange Night, and a heartfelt closing ceremony at IPB University, marking not only the end of the course but also the strengthening of international friendships and scientific collaboration. In a joint reflection, the MSU at Naawan graduate students described the H2O Summer Course as “transformative,” citing both the hands-on scientific experiences and the lasting bonds formed with fellow participants. “We return home with new skills, knowledge, and a renewed commitment to protect aquatic and marine ecosystems,” they shared. From mountain streams to coral reefs and mangrove forests, the MSU at Naawan representatives immersed themselves in learning and action, carrying the university’s name across Southeast Asia as advocates for environmental stewardship and collaboration.
