Mudita

 Mr Wayan Mudita has an educational background in integrated pest management. He has been involved for over ten years in a number of research projects in crop protection, particularly in the semi-arid East Nusa Tenggara. It was during this period that Wayan became aware that a sound understanding of the social aspect of the existing system were required in order to solve crop protection problems. For example Wayan found that an introduced predator failed to establish not because of unfavourable climate or other physical factors but simply because repeated slashing and burning killed most individuals of the released predator.

Wayan’s interest in a multi-disciplinary approach to research has further increased after serving as director of a research centre on environmental research for about seven years. During this period, he engaged in various environmental impact management projects and was involved in the management of many other research projects dealing with complex environmental issues.

Wayan’s PhD research now deals with biosecurity management of citrus in West Timor. In this research project he wants to understand various factors influencing community awareness, knowledge, and management of citrus biosecurity, particularly the threat of the devastating HLB (huanglongbing) disease to citrus production, within the framework of social capital.
 

Wayan with fellow students and colleagues
after attending a project progress workshop