The Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), organized an orientation program for new lecturers on Wednesday and Thursday, 4-5 September 2024. The event was attended by all new lecturers, including prospective civil servants (CASN) and permanent lecturers appointed by the Rector, as well as departmental and faculty leaders. This program was designed to equip young lecturers with essential knowledge and skills before entering their teaching and research roles.

Held at the Venture Lab on the 6th floor of the AGLC Building, the orientation was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D. In his remarks, he emphasized the crucial role of lecturers in shaping outstanding graduates in the agricultural sector. He highlighted the values of integrity, innovation, and collaboration in the teaching process, while underlining the faculty’s vision and mission encapsulated in the tagline “Smart Eco-Bioproduction.” This vision consists of six pillars: crop, smart, eco, bio-production, agribusiness, and communication. By understanding this framework, new lecturers are expected to contribute actively and collaborate enthusiastically.

The program included presentations by various speakers, starting with Prof. Subejo, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation. He outlined the faculty’s support and resources available to help lecturers excel in their respective fields, including output-based grants specifically for young lecturers. Discussions also addressed the challenges and opportunities in higher education today.

In addition, Dr. Dyah Weny Respatie, S.P., M.Si., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, introduced the faculty’s academic programs. She highlighted initiatives such as the International Undergraduate Class (IUC), the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS), and the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, emphasizing the need for active support from all academic staff, including new lecturers.

The participants expressed enthusiasm to contribute to advancing agricultural sciences and to support the faculty’s vision of becoming a center of excellence nationally and internationally. One participant, Yumechris Amekan, S.Si., M.Biotech., Ph.D., often referred to as Micky, from the Agricultural Microbiology Study Program, stated, “I hope to synergize and collaborate not only with lecturers in my department but also across other departments and faculties, to elevate the Faculty of Agriculture UGM both nationally and internationally.”

Similarly, Ishadiyanto Salim, S.Pd., M.Pd., a new lecturer in the Agricultural Extension and Communication Program, shared his aspirations:
“As a lecturer in the Agricultural Extension and Communication Program, I am deeply interested in agriculture, particularly in how innovation and technology can enhance agricultural outreach for farmers’ welfare and sectoral development. By joining the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, I feel I can directly contribute to shaping a new generation equipped to advance Indonesian agriculture.”

On the second day, participants were introduced to topics related to finance, assets, and human resource management, presented by Dr. R.A. Siti Ari Budhiyanti, S.T.P., M.P., Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources. She discussed Rector Regulation No. 11 of 2023 concerning Human Resource Management, which outlines the duties, rights, and responsibilities of lecturers.

The program concluded with presentations from the heads of various departments, including Agricultural Socioeconomics, Agronomy, Agricultural Microbiology, Plant Pest and Disease, Soil Science, and Fisheries, followed by an introduction to general administration led by the Head of the Administrative Office, Agus Sudarwinto, S.E., M.M. Agus provided explanations about procedural requirements for correspondence, permissions, and other administrative matters.

Through this program, the Faculty of Agriculture UGM reaffirms its commitment to providing quality education and actively contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1:No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Writer: Desi Utami, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Hanita Athasari Zain

The Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), welcomed a visit from lecturers and students of the Seed Technology Study Program, Payakumbuh State Agricultural Polytechnic (PPNP), West Sumatra. The visit was part of a field trip and industrial tour involving 22 students accompanied by two lecturers. During their time at the UGM Department of Agronomy, the PPNP delegation was introduced to a range of seed technology tools at the Seed Technology Sub-Laboratory and biotechnology equipment at the Breeding Sub-Laboratory, including advanced DNA and RNA analysis tools for extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and further analysis.

Head of the Department of Agronomy UGM, Rani Agustina Wulandari, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., emphasized that this visit served as an excellent opportunity for PPNP students to deepen their understanding of seed technology, plant breeding, and biotechnology. The visit, held on Monday, 26 August 2024, was attended by other key faculty members, including Prof. Dr. Rudi Hari Murti, S.P., M.P., Head of the Seed Technology Laboratory; Prof. Dr. Ir. Aziz Purwantoro, M.Sc., Head of the Master’s Program in Plant Breeding; and Agus Budi Setiawan, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., a member of the smart farming management team at UGM Faculty of Agriculture.

Several topics were explored during the visit, including agro-innovation, seed technology activities, plant breeding, smart farming, and biotechnology.

“Given their purpose of learning more about seed technology practices, plant breeding, smart farming, and biotechnology, we guided them through our laboratories and introduced them to the smart farming melon greenhouse located atop the Rachmiwaty Building,” Rani explained.

Rani also noted that during the discussion session, the PPNP students expressed a strong interest in pursuing master’s studies in the Plant Breeding program at the UGM Department of Agronomy. They received detailed explanations about the department’s facilities, educational activities, and accomplishments, along with the new student registration process for the Faculty of Agriculture UGM.

Following this visit, both institutions discussed potential collaboration, starting with opportunities for further studies at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, both for master’s and doctoral programs, as well as training sessions provided by the Faculty of Agriculture UGM for the Seed Technology Study Program at PPNP. Both UGM and PPNP expressed their commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 1:No Poverty, SDG 2:Zero Hunger, SDG 4:Quality Education, SDG 10:Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17:Partnerships for the Goals

Writer: Hanita Athasari Zain, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: Documentation by UGM Department of Agronomy

The Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) held an Open Senate Meeting as the highlight of the 78th Anniversary celebration. The meeting took place at the Prof. Harjono Danoesastro Auditorium on Friday, 27 September 2024. During the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., presented a report on the achievements of the faculty over the past year, including innovations in research and community engagement carried out by the faculty.

The Senate Meeting was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Ir. Irham, M.Sc., Chairperson of the Senate of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM. In addition to faculty members, staff, and students who attended as participants, the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., was also present. She expressed her appreciation for the achievements of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, emphasizing that these successes are the result of the hard work and contributions of senior pioneers and the academic community. The Rector highlighted that the agricultural sector is a cornerstone in providing quality food, playing a crucial role in supporting national food security and the economy.

Prof. Ova emphasized three main pillars crucial for exceptional progress in agriculture. First, the importance of being oriented towards societal needs rather than self-interest. Second, agricultural technologies must align with community cultures to ensure acceptance and proper implementation. Third, collaboration is the key to success, both internally within the campus and externally with outside stakeholders and global communities.

“I sincerely hope that this 78th Anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Agriculture, which carries the theme ‘Optimizing Land Utilization and Adapting to Global Climate Change to Achieve Food Sovereignty,’ can serve as a reflection and ignite a renewed spirit among us all to realize a better future for Indonesian agriculture,” said Prof. Ova.

As the peak event of the 78th Anniversary celebration, this meeting is expected to strengthen the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s commitment to producing high-quality graduates and enhancing its contributions to national agricultural development. The event also underscores the faculty’s efforts to support several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 1:No Poverty, SDG 2:Zero Hunger, SDG 12:Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13:Climate Action, and SDG 17:Partnerships for the Goals.

Writer: Alkhansa Khairunnisa, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Hanita Athasari Zain
Photo: UGM Faculty of Agriculture Media