IPB University Hosts Asia Hub Event, Bringing Together Researchers and University Leaders from 17 Countries in Asia, Europe, and America

IPB University hosted the Annual Meeting of the Asia Hub and Consortium for Innovations in Agricultural Education and Research in Asia (CIAERA) together with Michigan State University (MSU), United States, and Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU), China.

A number of researchers and university leaders from 16 countries in Asia attended the forum, which took place from September 29 to October 1, 2025, at the IPB University campus.

“We firmly believe that an interdisciplinary approach is key to solving complex problems. Food, energy, water, and health have always been integral parts of IPB’s main programs,” said IPB University Rector, Prof Arif Satria.

IPB University, he said, continues to strive to advance the fields of agriculture, marine science, and tropical bioscience at both the national and global levels. In line with the Asia Hub and CIAERA’s focus on sustainability, IPB University is strongly committed to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This commitment has been recognized by the Indonesian Ministry of Development Planning or Bappenas, as the best university in the Indonesia’s SDGs Action Awards for three consecutive years,” he added.

Dr Titus Awokuse from MUS expressed gratitude for the support from universities within the AsiaHub. Asia, he said, is a key region in addressing global challenges in health, food security, social and economic issues, as well as access to quality education.

“That is why it is important to work together to strengthen the Asia Hub with our respective potentials through joint research. Research that is beneficial to society. We focus on problem solving through an interdisciplinary approach,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Zhu Yan, Vice President of NAU, said that the Asia Hub consortium could be a forum for promoting agriculture in each country as well as a forum for sharing knowledge, research, scholarships, and training.

The event was attended by nearly 200 participants, representing 73 institutions from 17 countries. The meeting was also supported by the Future Earth Water-Energy-Food Nexus Knowledge-Action Network and SEAMEO BIOTROP. (IAAS/NVA)