Strengthening our partnership with IPB University
Blog post prepared by Rida Akzar
Delegates from Institut Pertanian Bogor Indonesia (IPB University) recently visited the University of Adelaide. The delegation consisted of Dr. Arif Satria, SP, M.Si (Rector), Prof. Dr. Ir. Iskandar Zulkarnaen Siregar, M.For.Sc. (Director of International Program) Dr.Ir. Arief Daryanto, M.Ec (Dean of Vocational College), Dr. Ir. R. Nunung Nuryartono, M.Si (Dean of Faculty of Economics and Management). During the visit, the delegates met with the University of Adelaide board to discuss future international collaboration between the two universities. They also had a chance to visit the Waite Campus to witness some of the state of the art facilities in agricultural sciences and smart farming technologies.
The delegates also met with Indonesian student cohort studying at the University of Adelaide. A session was organised where 25 Indonesian students, including 9 double degree master students who will undertake their second year study at the School of Economics at the University of Adelaide (first year in IPB University) and 3 postgraduate students from the Centre for Global Food and Resources (GFAR).
Dr. Arif Satria, SP, M.Si – Rector of IPB University (Picture: PPIA SA)
In the session, Dr Satria shared with the students about three main things that Indonesian student as international students should focus on during their time studying in Australia. First, students need to enhance their skills in English speaking and writing. Studying in an English speaking country is a great opportunity to enhance this skill. Second, students should boost their confidence by participating actively in class discussions and engaging with teachers and fellow students, presenting academic papers in international conferences and seminars. Last but not least, students should build and maintain their networks with colleagues as well as their lecturers in the university for future international collaboration. Dr Satria also emphasised that the world is becoming dynamic and unpredictable with the advancement of technologies. Therefore, as representatives of this generation, students need to be more creative to seek and create opportunities by building entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
IPB Delegates with Jack Hetherington (CGFAR) and Indonesian students (Picture: PPIA SA)
A number of GFAR staff also attended this session including Dr. Alexandra Peralta, Jack Hetherington and Rohan Yargop. GFAR and IPB have been partner institutions for a long period of time and have shared a strong collaborative relationship. Jack Hetherington welcomed the delegation on behalf of GFAR and thanked the institution for its consistent support and partnership on number of projects and contribution made by alumni of IPB to research at GFAR through the Masters and PhD programs.
Jack Hetherington speaking at the session
IPB has been a key partner in international research projects funded by Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Indonesia which have been led by GFAR. These include the IndoDairy project led by Prof. Wendy Umberger , the IndoHort project led by Prof. Randy Stringer . GFAR also has a number of Indonesian students who are alumni of IPB in their Master and PhD program. To close the session, Dr. Peralta thanked the delegation for their visit and hope to maintain and looking forward to see more future collaboration between the University of Adelaide and IPB University.
IPB delegates with Jack Hetherington and Indonesian students of GFAR