IPB University Collaborates with PTPN III in the Fields of Education, Research, and Community Service
IPB University established strategic cooperation with PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) III (Persero) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the fields of education, research, and community service. The signing was carried out by the Rector of IPB University Prof Arif Satria and President Director of PTPN III (Persero) Mohammad Abdul Ghani, Wednesday (5/21).
Prof Arif said that this collaboration was part of a long history of synergy between IPB and PTPN, especially in the development of human resources in the agricultural and plantation sectors.
“IPB University and PTPN have a long history of cooperation. One aspect is the contribution of human resources (HR). Many of the best personnel from PTPN came from IPB University. In the future, we hope that the next recruitment can also absorb many graduates from various faculties of IPB University,” said Prof Arif.
Therefore, he hopes that in the future PTPN will be able to empower IPB University alumni to strengthen PTPN holding in various strategic fields.
“IPB University alumni who are engaged in plantations, food, livestock, IT, management, to engineering, these are all national assets that must be maintained and utilized to strengthen PTPN Holding,” he said.
Prof Arif also expressed his appreciation for the development of facilities managed by PTPN, including the crude palm oil (CPO) processing plant which is now operating in Jonggol.
“The Jonggol area is now under a special unit, with a projection as Jonggol Innovation Valley. CPO processing plants, animal feed factories, and land for fruit and palm oil crops have been built,” he said.
On the occasion, Prof Arif also warmly welcomed the return of Mohammad Abdul Ghani to the campus of IPB University. The Managing Director of PTPN III is also one of the alumni of IPB University.
“Mr Ghani is one of the alumni of IPB University who is very successful, able to transform and manage extraordinary large national assets,” he said.
President Director of PTPN III (Persero), Mohammad Abdul Ghani, stated that the relationship between universities and industry players is a strategic need, especially to answer field challenges through innovation.
“The relationship between universities and industrial entities is a necessity. Because university research can be implemented for better plantation practices,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of collaboration in the form of consultancy and solving real problems faced by PTPN. Therefore, he stated that PTPN is ready to open its entire infrastructure for academic purposes.
“We prepare the entire PTPN infrastructure, both on-farm, off-farm and downstream industries. All of that can be collaborated for the benefit of research and student practice,” added Ghani.
This collaboration is expected to not only strengthen the synergy between academia and industry, but also open up greater opportunities for IPB University students and alumni to contribute to the development of the national plantation sector. (IAAS/NRA)
