IPB University Invites Media Crew to Break Fast Together, Holds First Grape Harvest and Prepares Master’s Scholarships for Journalists
IPB University held a fast-breaking event with media crews at the Agribusiness and Technology Park (ATP), Dramaga, Bogor (3/6). This event served as a gathering to introduce the latest developments at IPB University, including the first grape harvest and plans to provide scholarships for journalists.
Director of Cooperation, Communication, and Marketing, Dr Alfian Helmi, said that IPB University, through ATP, continues to develop various innovations in the field of agribusiness. “ATP is one of the main sites that always accompanies IPB on various occasions,” he said.
The event also featured the first grape harvest. Three types of grapes were harvested the gosv variety, which is not yet available in supermarkets, as well as the jupiter and ilaria varieties. The grapes were planted using seeds produced through induction techniques.
Chairman of the Agromaritime Development and Innopreneurship Acceleration Institute, Dr Handian Purwawangsa, said that IPB University is currently undergoing institutional transformation.
Previously, social (socio) and technological (techno) development were carried out by separate institutions. Now, these two approaches have been combined to build a more integrated ecosystem of research, business, and community service.
“This location previously focused on social entrepreneurship, but now it has been combined to create a mutually supportive ecosystem of research, business, and community service,” he said.
Meanwhile, IPB University Rector Dr Alim Setiawan expressed his appreciation to the media, which has been a strategic partner of the university in disseminating information to the public.
“Thank you to our friends in the media who have been IPB’s partners. The benefits of what is done on campus can be felt by the community because of the support of the media,” he said.
In strengthening the innovation ecosystem, IPB University prioritizes research that has an impact on food security. One of them is through the development of rice varieties that are targeted to produce up to 15 tons per hectare. IPB University will also develop 47 soybean varieties to increase productivity and collaborate with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in developing garlic.
The rector also discussed IPB University’s commitment to expanding access to education. Currently, there are more than 100 donors supporting various scholarship programs for students. IPB University, he said, also provides scholarships for employees’ children, from elementary school to university level, including master’s and doctoral programs.
“Security officers who want to send their children to medical school no longer have to dream,” he said.
On this occasion, IPB University also announced plans for a special master’s degree scholarship program for journalists. This program will be complemented by research support and is expected to be allocated annually. (dh) (IAAS/LAN)
