SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada’s main goal in international collaboration is to enhance academic reputation as a global player in higher education. On 27 March 2024, Dr. Kelly Redeker from Department of Biology, University of York, UK and his former student, Dr. Yumechris Amekan were welcomed by our Head of Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Ir. Donny Widianto, Ph.D., along with Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Dyah Weny Respatie, S.P., M.Si; and our Faculty member, Prof. Ir. Irfan D. Prijambada. The meeting aimed to discuss and explore potential collaborations between Department of Agricultural Microbiology and University of York, UK.
In the meeting, Dr. Kelly Redeker introduced the University of York and his research projects, including identifying plant-defense compounds as a pesticide replacement to promote sustainable agriculture practices and exploration of volatile organic compounds to inhibit plant pathogen.
“We would like to expand collaborations in research, education through student mobilities and student exchange,” said Donny. The escalation of collaboration will be carried out through signing of MoU between both universities. We aim to propose collaboration research through potential grant offered by Palm Oil company.
In addition to the meeting, the delegations from University of York were also invited to visit our facilities, including laboratories, study room, classes, and greenhouse. “We showed our laboratories facilities in Agrotropica Learning Center (AGLC) to enhance the potential collaboration which we can propose and provide together” said Muhammad Saifur Rohman, S.P., M.Si., M.Eng., Ph.D. as Head of Laboratory of Agriculture Microbiology.
In conclusion, both departments have a shared common goal of achieving academic excellence. Ideally the cooperation in the future will contribute to the broader academic community. This initial collaboration is part of UGM’s dedication to achieving the SDG objective number 17 “Partnership to Achieve goals”.
This synergy is a strong evidence to achieve the goal of SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.