The Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Tropical Biology (SEAMEO BIOTROP) is proud to announce the appointment of its new Deputy Directors, marking a milestone in the center's ongoing mission to promote sustainable tropical biology research and education in Southeast Asia.

Starting in January 2025, SEAMEO BIOTROP welcomes two new Deputy Directors, Dr Elis Rosdiawati as the Deputy Director for Administration and Dr Doni Yusri as the Deputy Director for Program for the period of 2025 - 2027.  The new Deputy Directors will bring their experience, expertise, and vision to the organization, steering BIOTROP toward achieving its strategic goals, fostering collaboration, and enhancing the center's regional and international impacts.

Dr Elis Rosdiawati, MPd is an accomplished educator and administrator who have served as the Deputy Director for Administration at the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP). With a robust academic background, including a Doctorate in Educational Administration from UPI Bandung, Dr  Elis has significantly contributed to education and institutional leadership.. Her extensive experience spans curriculum development, teacher professional development, and strategic organizational management, reflecting her dedication to fostering educational excellence and institutional growth.  Dr  Elis Rosdiawati assumes the Deputy Director for Administration role at SEAMEO BIOTROP by bringing an extensive experience in education management and institutional governance. Through her experience in public administration and human resource development, Dr Elis is committed to strengthening SEAMEO BIOTROP's operational framework and fostering a supportive environment for its staff and stakeholders.

Dr Doni Yusri, SP, MM, is an outstanding academic and researcher serving as a lecturer at the School of Vocational Studies of IPB University. With a rich educational background that includes a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Social Economy from IPB University, a Master's in Management from the same institution and a Doctorate in Human Geography from the University of Göettingen, Germany, he demonstrates expertise in diverse fields. His professional journey includes leadership roles, such as the Head of the Center for Disaster Studies at IPB and a director at PT. BLST IPB. Dr  Doni has contributed significantly to disaster management, economic research, and sustainable development through various training programs, research collaborations, and publications. He is proficient in English and German and leverages his communication, leadership, and negotiation skills to mentor students, facilitate international partnerships, and influence policy-making initiatives.  As the newly appointed Deputy Director for Program, Dr Doni Yusri brings a robust expertise in agricultural sciences and program management. His impressive portfolio includes years of experience in research and development, with a strong focus on sustainable agriculture and tropical ecosystem preservation. Dr Doni's vision aligns seamlessly with SEAMEO BIOTROP's missions, and his leadership will drive innovative projects and regional collaborations to address pressing environmental challenges.

The new Deputy Directors officially assume their roles on 2 January 2025 and have already begun working closely with the team at SEAMEO BIOTROP to ensure a smooth transition. Their leadership is expected to further empower the center to tackle pressing challenges related to tropical ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development in the region. SEAMEO BIOTROP remains dedicated to fostering collaboration among its member countries, partners, and stakeholders. The center is poised to achieve even greater heights with its strengthened leadership team.

In the first meeting with all staff of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Dr  Elis Rosdiawati MPd wished a happy new year with a new spirit and atmosphere. She mentioned the importance of maintaining a pleasant and conducive working atmosphere to achieve the vision, mission, and goals of an institution.  Dr Elis congratulated the staff who graduated from the tests for becoming the Government Employees with Employment Agreements (Pegawai Pemerintah dengan Perjanjian Kerja). She also thanked SEAMEO BIOTROP management who had run SEAMEO BIOTROP governance during the transition and the absence of the Board of Directors.

In his speech, Dr Doni Yusri, SP, MM conveyed his plans to improve togetherness and to voice and promote  SEAMEO BIOTROP more intensively worldwide.  He emphasized the importance of adjusting the programs of SEAMEO BIOTROP with government programs, such as food self-sufficiency through an inventory of existing programs.
Ir Sri Widayanti MSi, in her farewell as the Acting Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP,  mentioned  that all staff and ranks in SEAMEO BIOTROP is indeed one big family, who should work together, hand-in-hand, to achieve the vision, mission, and goals of SEAMEO BIOTROP and to elevate the visibility of SEAMEO BIOTROP to the regional and international levels.

With its strengthened leadership, SEAMEO BIOTROP reaffirms its commitment to serving as a regional center for innovation and collaboration in tropical biology. SEAMEO BIOTROP looks forward to the contributions of Dr Elis Rosdiawati and Dr Doni Yusri in advancing the Center’s mission to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainability, and address the evolving challenges of tropical ecosystems.