The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), has once again achieved an outstanding accomplishment at the international level. Five Faperta students successfully passed the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) scholarship program at Yamagata University, Japan. Out of a total of 83 applicants, only 18 participants were accepted, and five of them were students from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM. This achievement serves as tangible proof of the capacity and competitiveness of Faperta students on the global stage.

The five selected students are Nabilla Rachma Kusuma (Undergraduate in Agricultural Microbiology), Yomita Misya (Undergraduate in Agricultural Microbiology), Dinda Maulida Al Adawiyah (Undergraduate in Agricultural Microbiology), Fransisco Yamonaha Harefa (Undergraduate in Soil Science), and Laili Mufarrahah (Master’s in Soil Science). They were guided by competent Faperta UGM lecturers in their respective fields and will conduct research alongside professors from Yamagata University, including Prof. Dr. Toru Watanabe, Associate Prof. Dr. Satoru Sato, and Prof. Dr. Weiguo Cheng.

Through this program, the students will have the opportunity to broaden their academic and cultural horizons, as well as build international scientific networks that will enrich their contributions to the development of agricultural science in the future. Active participation in global programs such as JASSO demonstrates the readiness of Faperta UGM students to address the challenges of modern agriculture that transcend national boundaries.

This accomplishment is not only a source of pride for the institution but also strengthens UGM’s reputation as a university that produces globally competitive graduates. Participation in such international programs is expected to encourage other students to continuously enhance their academic capacity and expand their scientific outlook.

This initiative also aligns with the commitment of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 1: No Poverty.

Authors            : Agrit Kirana Bunda and Muhamad Fathan Mubina
Editor   : Desi Utami

The Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), once again organized a Free Breakfast Program for students facing the End-of-Semester Exams (UAS) for the Even Semester of the 2024/2025 Academic Year. The program, called PONDASI, is routinely held during both Mid-Semester Exams (UTS) and Final Exams (UAS). PONDASI UAS aims to provide nutritional support for students by offering breakfast amid their busy exam schedules. In addition, the program is expected to help students stay more focused while taking their exams.

“As its name suggests, this free breakfast serves as a foundation for students to be better prepared for their exams. Through this program, we also hope to cultivate students’ empathy by encouraging them to take turns in receiving free breakfast,” said the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Dr. Dyah Weny Respatie, S.P., M.Si.

Not only is the program beneficial for students, but it also involves vendors at the Healthy Canteen of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM. This way, even though the canteen tends to be quieter during the exam period, the vendors can still maintain stable income. This semester, the PONDASI UAS Program has entered its fifth round. In its implementation, Faperta UGM is supported by donors, including Inessya RESORT, which helped provide free breakfast.

“The food is really yummy, there are lots of choices, and it’s definitely nutritious. Thank you, Pondasi UAS, a lifesaver for students who don’t have time for breakfast,” said Faiza, one of the Faperta UGM students who enjoyed the free breakfast.

The Pondasi UAS Program has received positive appreciation from students. In addition to helping meet nutritional needs, the program also supports vendors at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM canteen. It is hoped that this program will continue and serve as extra motivation for students to face their final exams with greater enthusiasm.

The Pondasi UAS Program is part of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s efforts to contribute to the achievement of SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Authors: Olivia Regita Br Tarigan and Muhamad Fathan Mubina
Editor   : Desi Utami

The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), officially launched the Summer Course on Sustainable Tropical Agriculture 2025 (SC-STA 2025) on Monday, 21 July 2025, held virtually via Zoom. Carrying the theme “The Journey of Coffee from Seed to Cup,” the program brought together 52 participants from diverse educational levels and professional backgrounds, both from Indonesia and abroad, including Gambia, Sudan, the Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

SC-STA 2025 represents a concrete step by Faperta UGM in supporting the internationalization of education and fostering cross-country collaboration. The program is designed to broaden participants’ understanding of sustainable tropical agriculture through theoretical learning and hands-on field practice, while also strengthening international academic networks.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ir. Jaka Widada, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., emphasized in his opening remarks that this year’s Summer Course specifically focuses on the practice of sustainable tropical agriculture by using coffee as a case study.

“This program is designed not only as an academic space but also as a valuable experience that encourages practical understanding of sustainable tropical agriculture,” he stated.

Jaka also encouraged all participants to actively engage throughout the program. “I invite students to not hesitate in asking questions, joining discussions, and building connections. This is the moment to expand your knowledge and turn it into a meaningful experience. I wish you all a very successful and enjoyable Summer Course,” he concluded.

The program runs for two weeks under two schemes: an online session from 21–25 July 2025, covering topics such as sustainable tropical agriculture, adaptive farming systems, integrated smallholder plantations, agricultural innovation, and socio-economic perspectives; followed by an offline session from 4–8 August 2025, which includes field visits to various coffee centers in Yogyakarta and Central Java.

The program also features speakers from various national and international institutions, including:

• Pattrawut Pusingha (University of York, UK)
• Manuel Boissiere (CIRAD, France)
• Cheng-I Hsieh (National Taiwan University, Taiwan)
• Sudaryanto, M.Si. (National Project Manager, Indonesia)
• Irfan Dwidya Prijambada (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
• Elida Novita (National Chairman & Chief of Java Ijen Coffee Section – Universitas Jember, Indonesia)
• Tofael Ahamed (University of Tsukuba, Japan)
• Retno Hulupi (Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute)
• Sastia Prama Putri (Osaka University, Japan)
• Dyah Woro Untari, S.P., M.P. (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
• Maria Victoria Espaldon (University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines)

Through an interdisciplinary approach, participants are invited to explore the challenges and solutions in coffee production as well as sustainability principles relevant to tropical agriculture. SC-STA 2025 also directly contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Authors: Agrit Kirana Bunda, Anin Dita Rahmadiyanti

Editor: Desi Utami