Jayapura, KV — Papua has reached a new milestone in higher education with the launch of special bachelor’s programs focused on Indigenous Forestry and Indigenous Business Economics.
The Special Bachelor’s Program in Indigenous Forestry was launched at Ottow Geissler Papua University (UOG), while the Special Bachelor’s Program in Indigenous Business Economics was launched at Cenderawasih University (UNCEN).
The launch was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment and development of an Education Ecosystem for Indigenous Leadership, Indigenous Territorial Governance, and Indigenous Economy through Indigenous Peoples’ Corporations (BUMMA) in Tanah Papua.
The signing ceremony took place at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Cenderawasih University, on Monday, 10 August 2026.
The MoU was signed by Cenderawasih University, Ottow Geissler Papua University, Mitra BUMMA, the Menoken Membumi Membumma Foundation, the EcoNusa Foundation, and the Koalisi Ekonomi Membumi.
The agreement establishes an integrated educational ecosystem connecting universities, Indigenous territories, Indigenous Peoples’ Corporations (BUMMA), research, internships, experiential learning, and leadership development.
The initiative recognizes the long-standing role of Indigenous Peoples across Tanah Papua in safeguarding their territories, forests, seas, and cultural heritage.
Amid increasingly complex social, economic, and environmental changes, the program aims to prepare a new generation of Indigenous leaders who can combine Indigenous knowledge with modern science, technology, governance, and contemporary economic systems.
Unlike conventional university programs, the two programs specifically prepare students to govern Indigenous territories, develop BUMMAs, strengthen Indigenous economies, and protect forests and natural resources.
Students will learn not only in classrooms but also directly within Indigenous territories, alongside communities, through BUMMAs, and through real-world practice.
The programs form part of the broader Education Ecosystem for Indigenous Leadership, Indigenous Territorial Governance, and Indigenous Economy through BUMMA.
The ecosystem integrates higher education, non-formal education, research, curriculum development, internships, knowledge production, and experiential learning.
As part of the ecosystem, the partners are also developing the Menoken Business Academy (MBA) to strengthen leadership and entrepreneurship among Papua’s younger generation.
Under the MoU, Cenderawasih University will develop higher education programs in Indigenous Business Economics and Indigenous Accounting.
Ottow Geissler Papua University will develop higher education in Indigenous Forestry, while Mitra BUMMA will facilitate the development of Indigenous Peoples’ Corporations and connect them with universities and supporting organizations.
The Menoken Membumi Membumma Foundation will strengthen leadership regeneration and experiential learning. The EcoNusa Foundation will coordinate the supporting ecosystem and host the Menoken Business Academy.
The Koalisi Ekonomi Membumi will support curriculum development, mentoring, learning methodologies, and practitioner networks.
The launch also forms part of the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing investment in Indigenous youth education and leadership.
The event brought together Indigenous representatives from across Tanah Papua, PT Yombe Namblong Nggua (BUMMA Namblong), the Papua Provincial Government, university leaders, customary institutions, civil society organizations, BUMMAs, development partners, donors, and media representatives.
Mitra BUMMA CEO Ambrosius “Ruwi” Ruwindrijarto said protecting Indigenous territories requires a new generation of leaders with knowledge, skills, and institutions to manage those territories.
“This initiative is not simply about launching new academic programs. It is about building an educational ecosystem born from the aspirations of Indigenous Peoples themselves,” Ruwindrijarto said.
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Marine at Ottow Geissler Papua University, Efraim Mangaluk, said the Indigenous Forestry program offers a new perspective on forest management.
He said the program will prepare graduates who understand modern forestry while remaining grounded in Indigenous knowledge, customary law, Indigenous territorial governance, and Indigenous leadership.
Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Cenderawasih University, Dr. Otniel Safkaur, said Indigenous economics represents more than economic activities conducted within Indigenous territories.
According to him, Indigenous economics rests on the values, institutions, knowledge, and governance systems of Indigenous Peoples.
The Special Bachelor’s Program in Indigenous Business Economics will prepare future BUMMA managers, entrepreneurs, accountants, and economic leaders who can develop competitive enterprises while maintaining social justice, cultural integrity, and environmental sustainability.
The partners expect the Education Ecosystem to become a model for Indigenous Peoples-based higher education that can expand to other parts of Indonesia and the Pacific region.
By bringing modern scientific knowledge together with Indigenous knowledge systems and practices, the initiative seeks to produce leaders capable of protecting Indigenous territories, strengthening customary institutions, developing BUMMAs, and building equitable, sustainable, and self-determined economies. (Redaksi)
