The Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) has successfully concluded the Summer Course on Sustainable Tropical Agriculture 2024 (SC-STA 2024), which commenced on 15 July 2024. The program’s closing event featured a final presentation by 20 international students from the Philippines, Malaysia, China, Japan, and Yemen. The participants presented their insights gained through pre-course activities and field trips in a 10-minute video presentation, addressing the challenges they observed and proposing potential solutions.
A key theme that emerged from these presentations was the role of Gen Z in promoting sustainable agriculture, particularly in the cocoa industry. One of the most notable presentations came from Hybrid Group 2, which was awarded Best Presenter. Their initiative, titled “Gen-Z in Coco(A)CTION,” emphasized the power of social media engagement to spread awareness and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
“As Gen Z is more engaged with digital platforms than previous generations, social media campaigns can be leveraged to create content highlighting the impact of climate change. This, in turn, is expected to raise awareness and drive more sustainable farming practices,” explained JM Santos, a member of Hybrid Group 2 from the Philippines.
The Best Presenter award was determined based on several assessment criteria, including theoretical foundation, research methods, teamwork and time management, as well as aesthetics and creativity. The judging panel comprised three faculty members from UGM’s Faculty of Agriculture, including Ani Widiastuti, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., Nur Akbar Arofatullah, S.P., M.Biotech., Ph.D., and Desi Utami, S.P., M.Env.Sc., Ph.D. The final presentation took place on Friday, 23 August 2024, at the Venture Room, Agrotropica Learning Center (AGLC) Building, and was attended by: Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., Director of Partnerships and Global Relations UGM, Prof. Dr. apt. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., and The organizing committee of the 2024 Summer Course.
During the event, Prof. Puji Astuti expressed her appreciation for the participants and hoped they would consider returning to UGM for future academic collaborations. “I truly appreciate your participation in the UGM Faculty of Agriculture Summer Course. Please do not hesitate to return—whether through student exchanges, joint research projects, or even pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees at UGM,” said Prof. Puji.
The UGM Faculty of Agriculture Summer Course aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Writer: Hanita Athasari Zain, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami
Photos: UGM Faculty of Agriculture Media Team