Prof. Ani Widiastuti, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., from the Department Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), has officially begun her new journey as a professor at the Department of Applied Biology, Ibaraki University, Japan. This assignment is carried out through a cross-institutional scheme that allows lecturers to perform academically at more than one university, marking the first implementation of such a scheme between Ibaraki University and UGM.
During her approximately one-month assignment, Prof. Ani conducted teaching activities at the Faculty and Graduate School of Agriculture, Ibaraki University. The topics covered included climate-adaptive agriculture and plant protection strategies. Additionally, Prof. Ani was involved in international collaborative research and social implementation programs supporting local agricultural development in Ibaraki Prefecture.
In terms of community service, Prof. Ani led a workshop for high school students titled “Bean to Bar Chocolate Making Course”, delivered in simple English. This activity aimed to introduce the cocoa processing procedure while fostering interest among the younger generation in the agriculture and food sectors.
This assignment holds strategic significance given Prof. Ani’s long-standing connection with Japan. In 2009, she began her doctoral studies at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Since then, Prof. Ani has been active in supporting Indonesian students participating in exchange programs at Ibaraki University, including those under the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Program.
Research collaboration between Faperta UGM and Ibaraki University was further strengthened in 2025 through the signing of a research agreement on tropical plant immunity. The partnership later expanded to include student exchange programs through the JST Sakura Science Program. Prof. Ani’s promotion to professor at UGM in 2024 further highlights her significant contribution to the advancement of agricultural research at the international level. Previously, collaborative research between the two institutions received the Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan in 2015.
The partnership between UGM and Ibaraki University has spanned more than 25 years. The memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the agricultural faculties was signed in 2000 and expanded to the university level in 2010. Various education and research programs have been implemented sustainably, including a chocolate production project at Ibaraki University using Indonesian cocoa, which was successfully completed last autumn.
This collaboration also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4: Quality education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals.
Writer: Beny Nabila Happy Fauziah
Editor: Tantriani
Documentation: Media Unit Faperta UGM