Cooperation between universities on an international scale continues to be carried out between the University of Bengkulu and the University of New England (UNE). After successfully carrying out several collaborative activities following the signing of the MoU in 2017, now the researchers from the two universities are discussing plans for a sustainable collaborative project.
The focused discussion took place virtually via the Zoom meeting application, involving researchers from the Faculty of Agriculture of UNIB and from the School of Environment and Rural Affairs of New England University, Thursday (30/3/2023). Prof. Zainal Muktamar, Dr. Sigit Sudjatmiko, Dr. Fahrurrozi, and other FP UNIB researchers are present. Also attended by UNE representatives in Indonesia.
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of UNIB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Dwi Wahyuni Ganefianti, M.S, through the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Yansen, welcomed the plan for an ongoing collaboration project between UNIB and UNE Researchers and hopes that this plan can be realized soon.
“The discussion talked about the collaborative projects for organic crop production, food security, and climate change. This theme is very important at this time and the two sides are planning to carry out a sustainable collaboration in the long term. When this plan can be implemented properly, it will certainly have a positive impact on increasing institutional capacity and being able to contribute to increasing research capacity and scientific development in general,” said Dr. Yansen.
Yansen explained that UNIB and UNE had collaborated in several activities since the signing of the MoU in 2017 which was extended in 2019. These activities included carrying out guest professors in the field of Humanities who conducted public lectures at UNIB, even in collaboration with Prof. Caroline Gross (UNE) was able to put Dr. Yansen (FP) as an honorary lecturer at UNE.
Then, in 2022, Prof. Paul Kristiansen (UNE) was invited as a keynote speaker and member of the International Advisory Board for International Conferences at UNIB. And there is also the UNE team working with Prof. Wiryono (UNIB) in the home garden area activity for climate mitigation and adaptation, household resilience (income, nutrition, food security) where one of the final results is a paper that is ready to be published.
“The collaborative activities carried out not only involve lecturers but also students. Hopefully, the guest lecture from UNE, can provide a separate experience and provide enrichment of knowledge for UNIB students,” said Dr. Yansen. [Author: Purna Herawan. Editor : Nursihati/Humas].