IPB University and National University of Singapore Strengthen Food System Research Collaboration
IPB University and National University of Singapore (NUS) took a step forward in strengthening international research collaboration synergy through a Collaboration Research Program meeting held on 24-25, 2025 in Singapore.
Prior to the event, the Rector of IPB University met specifically with Prof Chng Wee Joo, Vice President for Research and Technology at NUS, to discuss new research areas related to biomedicine, biodiversity for herbal medicine, and emerging technologies. In addition to strengthening research, the Rector of IPB University was also received by Prof Bernard C. Y. Tan, Senior Vice Provost (Undergraduate Education), to discuss the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance learning processes.
The collaborative research meeting, attended by 13 IPB University delegates from the School of Business, the Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Fateta), and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), aimed to solidify strategic cooperation in the fields of sustainable agriculture, circular economy, and technological innovation to address global challenges.
The event held at the NUS Innovation 4.0 Building was the culmination of a series of intensive discussions between the CIRCLE Working Group from the IPB University School of Business and the Institute of Operations Research and Analytics (IORA) NUS, which began in December 2024 and continued with a visit by the NUS delegation to the IPB University campus in February 2025.
In his opening remarks, IPB University Rector Prof Arif Satria emphasized IPB’s readiness to serve as a strategic partner for NUS. He highlighted that this collaboration marks the realization of a cooperation initiative signed three years ago.
“IPB University, as the top university in Southeast Asia for Agriculture and Forestry, is ready to be a strategic partner for NUS in facilitating research and education, particularly in the fields of sustainable agriculture, circular economy, and business innovation,” stated Prof Arif Satria.
He hopes that the synergy between IPB University’s excellence in agriculture and NUS’s status as a world-class university will serve as a catalyst for the innovation ecosystem and produce applied research that significantly contributes to food security, technological transformation, and sustainable development.
Warm greetings also came from the host side. Prof Teo Chung Piaw, Executive Director of IORA NUS, emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration to address global challenges, particularly in the areas of sustainability and technology.
The IPB University delegation consisted of Prof Arif Satria (Rector), Prof Iskandar Z Siregar (Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Cooperation, and Alumni), Prof Marimin (Fateta), Dr Yessie Widya Sari (FMIPA), six lecturers from the School of Business, namely Dr Raden Dikky Indrawan, Dr Asaduddin Abdullah, Dr Achmad Fadhilah, Dr Nur Hasanah, Sendy Watazawwadu’Ilmi, SE, MM, Adhitya Rahmana, SPt, MM, and two research assistants, namely Ghina Kamilia, SE, MM, and Andita Ramadhanti, SE, MMT, as well as Retna Widayawati, SP (Chair of Agrianita).
Concrete Collaboration Roadmap
This collaboration will be realized through several concrete programs presented by Dr Xue-Ming from IORA NUS and Dr Raden Dikky Indrawan from the School of Business at IPB University.
This collaboration roadmap encompasses three main pillars:
1. Joint Research: Encouraging joint research grant applications. Both institutions can participate in each other’s funding schemes (matching grants and joint grants). The primary objective is to produce internationally reputable scientific publications.
2. Human Resource Development: Launching an exchange program for doctoral students, researchers, and teaching staff. This program also includes staff attachments for the exchange of expertise and research experience.
3. Joint Education Programs: Developing joint academic programs to strengthen the capacity and academic networks of both universities.
The Vice Rector of IPB University for Global Connectivity, Cooperation, and Alumni, Prof Iskandar Z Siregar, added that this partnership is expected to have a real impact. “This partnership not only strengthens the institution’s reputation, but also creates a broader impact on the development of science, sustainability, and global solutions,” he said.
As part of the agenda, the IPB University delegation also visited various state-of-the-art research facilities at NUS, such as the SIA-NUS Digital Aviation Corp Lab, the School of Computing, and the Lee Kong Chian Computing History Museum, to expand their knowledge and networks.
Prior to the collaborative research meeting with NUS, the IPB University delegation also attended The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) International Meeting from July 20–23, 2025, at the Raffles City Convention Center in Singapore. This event is a prestigious global conference bringing together academics, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of operations research, analytics, and management sciences.
The conference served as a platform for sharing the latest innovations, cutting-edge research, and interdisciplinary collaboration from around the world. On this occasion, the IPB University delegation presented seven papers from collaborative research with NUS. The seven presenters were Dr Utami Dyah Safitri (School of Data Science, Mathematics, and Informatics), Andita Ramadhanti, SE, MMT, Dr Linda Karlina Sari, Dr Asaduddin Abdullah, Dr. Achmad Fadhilah, Anggi Mayang Sari, SSi, MBA, and Sendy Watazawwadu’Ilmi, SE, MM (School of Business). (IAAS/NRA)
