IPB University and Seoul National University Strengthen Collaboration in the Field of Green Biosciences

IPB University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Seoul National University (SNU) at the university's leadership level. IPB University's Rector, Prof Arif Satria and the President of SNU, Prof Hong Lim Ryu, agreed to strengthen partnerships in research and education, especially in the field of Green Biosciences or science that supports sustainability through development and innovation in sustainable food and agriculture.

The Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria, said that along with the increasing widespread issues of climate change, industrial revolution 4.0, the COVID-19 outbreak, and the threat of future pandemics, as well as other global conflicts, IPB would emphasize the urgency of resilience, sustainability, and transformation in various tridharma activities. 

“IPB University seeks to build an education, research and community service ecosystem based on resilience, sustainability and transformation in all aspects, taking into account the importance of future practices,” " he stated.

Furthermore, Prof Arif also stated that IPB University's vision is also in line with South Korea in the matter of the Green Deal and the Digital Deal. The policy aims to transform the economy in order to strengthen efforts to overcome climate change, support industries, new renewable energy, and environmental-based infrastructure.

“Using this momentum of change, IPB University and SNU have agreed to continue and expand the collaboration that has lasted decades and is increasingly focused on efforts to develop and implement Green Biosciences,” he added.

The signing of the MoU and MoA took place as the opening act of The 2nd SNU-IPB Green Bio Science Forum, a discussion forum for IPB University and SNU lecturers and related stakeholders to strengthen networks through sharing experiences and thoughts in order to design further collaborative approaches.

The forum also presented the Director of Finance and General Affairs of the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP), E Agust Hartono, who explained the Indonesian government's support for various research and education activities, as well as the representatives of the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, who shared the Green Bio current policies.

Prof Arif revealed that SNU has collaborated with IPB University in at least four scientific fields, namely forestry and the environment, animal sciences, veterinary medicine and human ecology. In addition, IPB University and SNU have also partnered in building the IPB-SNU Center for Agriculture and Bioscience (ICAB) with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) with funding of around Rp. 160 billion. The ICAB program, said Prof. Arif, could directly support joint research efforts and staff capacity building.

“Both SNU and IPB University hope that this research collaboration can be strengthened to cover more fields, and that the collaboration between various academic programs can be increased. Another program that will be strengthened includes exchange programs for students and lecturers from the two universities, such as through summer courses and double degree programs,” explained the rector.

Last but not least, Prof Arif also added that the existence of international classes at IPB University is expected to accelerate the implementation of the academic collaboration process as a forum for enriching interaction and collaboration between IPB University lecturers and students and SNU. (*/Rz) (IAAS/SNI)