IPB University Attends the 105th Anniversary of Wageningen University and Research
A number of IPB University professors attended the commemoration of the 105th Anniversary of Wageningen University and Research (WUR), (9/3). IPB University professors who attended included Prof Iskandar Z Siregar, Prof Yonni Koesmaryono, Prof Arief Daryanto, Prof Indra Jaya, Prof Ario Damar, and Prof Nunung Nuryartono.
"Attending the 105th Anniversary of WUR provides many lessons in terms of events and event formats. In the age of 105 years, WUR affirms the identity of the university to become a world-class center of knowledge in the field of agricultural science," said Prof Iskandar Z Siregar.
IPB University’s Vice Rector For Global Connectivity, Collaboration and Alumni Relations said, there were at least two important things that could be taken in this event. First, the concept of global research and thinking was developed. Second, the recognition of the existence of science for solving global problems.
For this second part, WUR awarded three honoris causa (HC) degrees to renowned researchers and servants. The three honoris causa recipients are professors from renowned universities. Among others, Prof Dannis David Baldochi (University of California Berkeley, USA), Prof Valerie Trouet (University of Arizona, USA) and Prof. Willy Verstraete (Ghent University, Belgium).
The HC was awarded to Prof Dannis David Baldochi for his dedicated research on climate change. Prof Dannis David Baldochi sees climate issues as a strategic research for the sustainability of human life. He developed the Climate Change Monitoring Station, a climate research facility that later became a station that is widely used by doctoral students.
Prof Valerie Trouet also studies climate with wood media. Meanwhile, WUR gave HC to Prof Willy Verstraete for dedicating himself in the field of wastewater treatment biotechnology. With research and dedication, the communal waste treatment process has been running well for hundreds of years in the field of microbiology.
"The learning from this HC further establishes WUR as a large and global university. Recognition of science used in solving the nation's problems is something valuable," said Prof Iskandar.
In addition, WUR also gave a Research Award to the best research result won by Belwina Koopal who discussed 'Short Prokaryotic Argonaute System Trigger Cell Death Upon Detection of Invading DNA'. For her success, Belwina Koopal received an award of 2,500 euros.
The forum also featured a presentation on the theme of Blue Transition. The blue economy development agenda seen today still has to face various challenges including pollution, plastic, climate change which is referred to as the marine crisis.
"Marine crisis is the biggest challenge in realizing the Blue Agenda, so it needs a big transformation, not only the paradigm, but also the way and style of working which is introduced as shifting of marine economy," concluded Prof Iskandar. (*/Rz) (IAAS/ARD)
