Rector of IPB in the Period of 1996-1998 Passed Away
On Monday, 17 November 2014, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) was loss of an important figure in the history of IPB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Soleh Solahuddin, M.Sc. Rector of IPB in the period of 1996-1998 died at 23:00 WIB in the Hospital of Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM) Jakarta. The body was buried in the funeral home of KPP-IPB Baranangsiang 3 Bogor. The funeral was conducted on Tuesday, 18 November 2014 in TPU Blender, Kebon Pedes Bogor.
In his tenure as Rector, IPB had had 30 Study Programs for Diploma, 39 Study Programs for Sarjana, 51 Study Programs for Master Program, and 25 Study Programs for Doctoral Program scattered in 8 Faculties with Postgraduate :Program. The existence of Study Programs was supported by the existence of 25 study centers and development centers, so as to create the research culture among the academicians of IPB.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Soleh Solahuddin, M.Sc also continued the development of a master plan of IPB in the year of 2000 which came to an end. At that time it was composed the strategy of IPB to become University in 2020. Realizing the important role of universities that could not irrespective of the context of the national development, so IPB invited all components of the nation to make the agriculture as the common platform of the national development. This was evident when Indonesia faced the economic recession and monetary in 1997, the agro-industry and agribusiness sectors became the national economic savior.
In 1998, Prof. Dr. Ir. Soleh Solahuddin, M.Sc was appointed to become Minister of Agriculture in the Development Reform Cabinet. In 1999, Prof. Dr. Ir. Soleh Solahuddin, M.Sc, stated that the increase of the efficiency of the agribusiness system was to improve the agricultural production with the content of science and technology and the high competitiveness, thus providing improved welfare for farmers and communites in a balanced. One of the steps of strategic operational which was performed in order to achieve the above mentioned objective was Independent Movement / Gerakan Mandiri (Gema) which was the concept of the operational measures for agricultural development, with the aim of enhancing the empowerment and self-reliance of farmers in carrying out their farms. One concept of Gema which was voiced was Independent Movement for Rice, Soybeans, and Corn / Gerakan Mandiri Padi, Kedelai, dan Jagung (Gemapalagung).
After becoming the Minister of Agriculture of RI in 1999, Prof. Dr. Ir. Soleh Solahuddin, M.Sc became a Member of DPR RI PDIP Faction, 1999 – 2001, Deputy Governort of Lampung, 2004 – 2006, and was active in Nasional Demokrat Party (Nasdem).
