IPB Progressive Pace in Internationalization Enhancement: Students, Lecturers and Staffs In-/Out-bounds with Asian, European, American and African countries

In this era, globalization and global issues demand Higher Education institutions to enhance competitiveness towards World Class University. The Higher Education internationalization is seen as a means to enhance international competitiveness, which measured by the international rankings of the World Class University. Throughout August 2018, several departments under Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) organized and sent delegations to international short course programmes and conferences involving students from numerous countries and continents (Asia, Europe, America and Africa),that were expected to expand networking among students and lecturers at the regional and international level. 

Department of Management, Faculty of Economy and Management, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) established International Summer Course on Sustainable Agrifood Management in Indonesia on August 6th-15th, 2018 with 14 students from 7 Asian countries as followed: India (Annamalai University, Hyderabad University, Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad), Vietnam (HUE University), Myanmar (Strategic First Institute), Thailand (Rajabaht Songkhla University), Singapore (Singapore University of Social Sciences), Malaysia (Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia) and Indonesia (Brawijaya University and IPB). Vice Rector for Cooperation and Information System—Prof Dr Ir Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat, MScF, in his welcoming remarks declared the collaboration initiation between parties, particularly on sustainable agribusiness. The multidisciplinary approach by systematic integrated agricultural, animal husbandry, fishery, food technology and management science was intended for a more comprehensive learning on up-to-downstream agrifood value chain. Vice Dean in Resources, Collaboration and Development of Faculty of Economy and Management—Dr Mukhamad Najib, STP, MM described the course was primarily projected towards the developing countries and hopefully promoted the multicultural environment aiming for department internationalization prior to the department’s international programme that is going to be launched in 2019.

Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology,collaborating with Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), organized their 2nd International “Family Life among Agricultural Families in West Java” Summer Course and themed “Household Gardening to Support Family Well-Being” from August 25th-September 4th, 2018. Program was funded by IPB Directorate of International Program and supported by Government of Bogor City, Government of Cianjur Regency, Government of DKI Jakarta Province, Danone and Sangkuriang Lapis Bogor. Dean of Faculty of Human Ecology IPB—Prof. Dr. Ir. Ujang Sumarwan appointed the basis of theme was family resources management as one of the essential issues, especially in family resources optimization. The programme concentrated on yard utilization through home gardening and direct field practice. Mayor of Bogor City—Dr. Bima Arya in his welcoming speech expressed his highest appreciation to the partner universities—Universiti Putra Malaysia (represented by Dr. Muslihah Hasbullah from Faculty of Human Ecology) and Seoul National University (South Korea), besides introducing Sekolah Ibu as major project in realizing the “Family Friendly Bogor City” vision.

Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Economics and Management, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) ran its second year of summer course programme from August 23rd-30th, 2018 participated by 15 students from Japan, The Netherlands, Tanzania, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The program coordinator—Chairani Putri Pratiwi, BIAFS, MSi stated the focus on Indonesia strength as the World’s biggest oil palm producer thus the primary support was by Asian Agri with theme on “Inclusive and Sustainable Agribusiness: Oil Palm 2018”. Attended as well by Head of Department of Agribusiness—Dr Ir Dwi Rachmina, MS and Vice Dean in Resources, Collaboration, and Development of Faculty of Economy and Management—Dr Mukhamad Najib, STP, MM, Dr Ir Bayu Krisnamurthi, MS, Ridho Nalsya Putra, SP, Dr Mohammad Fadhil Hasan, and Dr Ir Supijatno, MSi, the programme was carried out in Bogor and Kerinci (Riau Province) for field visit to oil palm plantation and processing factory. Participants eventually presented their work and the best selected article was published in national media. This programme aimed for increasing the exchange traffic between local and foreign students and lecturers to develop stronger knowledge sharing.

Suci Hermita—student from Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Aktivis Nusantara Scholarship grantee and General Secretary of Forces IPB—participated in Summer Research Program in Biomedical and Environmental Sciences by Tsukuba University, Japan, on July 23rd-August 4th, 2018, among other 41 participants from Indonesia, England, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, Brazil, China and Germany. She conducted research on “Effects of Four Phytochemical Compounds in Reducing Oxidative Stress Through in Vivo Using Zebrafish as Experimental Animal” in Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, supervised by Prof.Dr. Makoto Kobayashi and teaching assistant—Yuka Endo. Her output claimed the desired eugenol compound potency in reducing oxidative stress in zebrafish and she was awarded as Top 10 Participant.

Another achievement by Zulfa Fauzia—student from Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Regional Envoy Scholarship (BUD) grantee from Adaro Mining Company and Propelan IPB member—who won as Runner Up at National Essay Competition 2018 with essay entitled FIA (Female In Action) regarding women empowerment movement which then honoured opportunity to visit Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Her work raised a problem on shortage of women's participation in Indonesia which resulted in more women worked in informal sectors who lack legal protection. She as well clarified her aim through this writing so that female can establish self-building either as a mother, wife, or any contributor in knowledge sharing within society. Her former awards included Winner at Debate Competition by Jember University, Runner Up at Marketing Debate Competition by Binus University, Winner at National Industry Debate Competition by University of North Sumatra, etc.