Three IPB Students in Top 15 Essays at The Asia Speaks – Indonesian Chapter

Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) with the Asian Youth Council, the International Youth Center, and the Ministry of Youth and Culture Malaysia organized Asia Speaks Indonesian Chapter (ASCI) at the Andi Hakim Nasution Auditorium, IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor on last February 28th, 2019. The event was attended by the Vice-rector of IPB in the field of Cooperation and Information Systems, Prof. Dr. Ir. Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat, M.Sc.F; the Secretary-General of the Asian Youth Council (AYC) and Director of the International Youth Center (IYC), Dr. Mohammed Maliki Bin Mohammed Rapiee; the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management of IPB, Dr. Ir. Nunung Nuryartono, M.Sc; and students from various countries in ASEAN whose essays were selected as the 15 best essays in this competition. In his speech, Prof. Dodik Nurrochmat conveyed an important message to young people producing food for the world and mentioned that it is a challenging task. Coupled with increasingly rapid population growth, it makes these food problems more serious. Prof.Dodik emphasized that in developing countries, food problems are also complicated matters. It takes mastery of science and technology (science and technology) that is more qualified to meet food needs amid an increase in population. Meanwhile, Dr. Mohammed Maliki bin Mohammed Rapiee explained the importance of young people to express their voices. According to him, the population in the Asian continent is more than 4.5 billion people. The continent of Asia has the largest population in the world. This also means that this population are the biggest food consumers in the world. Data shows that, in 2016, there were 80 million people in the world that experienced hunger. However, in 2017, it rose dramatically to 120 million people experiencing hunger. This is caused by warfare, uneven food distribution and acts of food hoarders (speculators) that occur in various parts of the world. So, young people must express their concern about the issue of food security. Starting from a small step to a bigger step in the future. On this occasion, the 15 best essays were selected from all ASEAN countries—and three IPB students made it to the list. Shafira Alfarisi, a student of IPB Vocational School, was among the Top 15. Shafira’s essay was entitled “Education Expeditions for Underdeveloped Regions: Is the Solution to Reduce Hunger and Poverty for Future Food Security”. She founded the 10,000 Scholarship Program with tagline “Supporting Education for Change”—a movement as source of donations to help people in disadvantaged villages. Pioneered since March 2018, this is an educational platform in Indonesia incorporated as a foundation and recognized by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia. It was established to invite volunteers and donors throughout Indonesia to jointly contribute to better education. Another IPB student accomplished the Top 15 place is Hanief Al Naufal from Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Economics and Management. Hanief and Siti Noerzoewir (YSN) Foundation collaborated by assisting local residents on improving household-scales food security solution in Indonesia. His idea proposed tiny-spaced utilizations by brown rice farming targeted towards households. Meanwhile, Arnita Rodelina Turnip from Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry—also enlisted in the Top 15, advocated solutions related to food security programs in the era of climate change. Through her title “Sustainable Food Security in Developing Country under the Climate change in Indonesia”, she analyzed the management of the increase and the economic growth rate of rural communities through several social work programs in collaboration with Ciapus village, West Java.