Armed with Expertise in Dynamical Systems, Wira Utama Earns Environmental Doctorate Degree

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• Selasa, 21 November 2023
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Udayana University Postgraduate Environmental Science Doctoral Study Program (PDIL) student I Putu Wira Utama, SSi, MSi, successfully earned a doctoral degree at the Udayana University (Unud) Postgraduate Environmental Science Doctoral Study Program (PDIL) on Monday, November 13, 2023, which was held at the Hall Room of Unud Postgraduate Building, Denpasar.

The Ph.D. Examination was chaired by the Coordinator of PDIL Postgraduate Unud Prof. Ir. I Wayan Arthana, MS, PhD, who also happens to be the promoter of the promovendus, with eight members, namely Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Nuarsa, M.Si., Prof. Dr. Ir. Anak Agung Putu Agung Suryawan Wiranatha, M.Sc., Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Ir. I Nyoman Rai, MS, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ida Ayu Astarini, M.Sc., Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Ir. I Gede Mahardika, MS, Prof. Dr. Drs. I Wayan Budiarsa Suyasa, MS, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Suarna, MS, and Dr. Ir. I Made Sudarma, MS. In addition to the referees of the doctoral examination, the academic invitation also included five Ph.D.s in related fields, namely Dr. Ir. I Wayan Diara, MS, Dr. Drs. I Made Sara Wijana, M.Si., I Wayan Gede Astawa Karang, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., Dr. Pande Gde Sasmita Julyantoro, S.Si., M.Si., and Abd. Rahman As-syakur, SP., M.Si., Ph.D.

Dr. I Putu Wira Utama, SSi, MSi, successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis entitled "Spatial Dynamic Model of Sustainable Lake Batur Area Management in Bangli Regency, Bali". The development of the Lake Batur Catchment Area (DTA) is currently experiencing significant growth. However, this growth has led to various conflicts of interest related to land use and intensive use of the lake, which has the potential to threaten the sustainability and quality of the lake. Therefore, this research has strategic urgency in an effort to overcome these problems, said Wira. This research adopts a systems thinking approach to address increasingly complex problems. This approach allows for a holistic, thematic, integrative and spatial understanding of the relationship between components in the system. By using dynamic systems modeling combined with geographic information systems (GIS), called spatial dynamics, this research has been able to identify regional patterns of change and predict future change trends.

The results of the dynamic systems analysis show that the area is strongly influenced by land use, environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of the community. To support sustainability, it is necessary to intervene in critical factors, including monitoring and law enforcement, government support, and community counseling and training. The modeling resulted in an optimistic scenario as the best option for policy implementation that can improve the existing variable conditions. Spatial projections to 2030 show an increase in land use change, an increase in lake area, and a decrease in lake depth. Wira's hope from this research is that the resulting policy recommendations can later be implemented by the government and local communities so that Lake Batur can continue to be sustainable as an important asset for the ecosystem and the lives of local communities.

Meanwhile, the main promotor, Prof. Arthana, congratulated Wira on his success in obtaining his Ph.D. degree. Although it was achieved with a lot of "blood and sweat", finally all stages of the Ph.D. program had been passed, he added. (DK)