Invited by NWAFU China, Two IPB University Experts Initiate Agricultural Research and Education Collaboration
International research collaboration is key to strengthening agricultural and forestry science amid global food challenges. IPB University has taken a strategic step by exploring research and education cooperation with one of the best agricultural universities in Asia, Northwest A&F University (NWAFU), China.
This collaboration was initiated through an official visit by two IPB University experts, Prof Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat and Dr Meti Ekayani, to the NWAFU campus in Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China (12/9–14). The visit was in response to NWAFU’s invitation to establish a long-term academic partnership in agriculture and forestry.
IPB University and NWAFU are both ranked among the top 10 best universities in Asia in the field of agriculture and forestry according to the QS World University Ranking. This strategic position opens up great opportunities for joint research and academic exchange.
As Dean of the IPB University Graduate School, Prof Dodik considers this collaboration to be relevant to the need to strengthen cross-border research. Together with Dr Meti Ekayani from the Faculty of Economics and Management at IPB University, he was directly involved in the initial meeting with NWAFU leaders.
The main agenda of the visit began with a meeting with Prof Hu Xiaohui (Dean of the College of International Education at NWAFU) and Prof Zhang Han (Vice Dean of the College of Economics and Management at NWAFU). During the meeting, both universities presented their histories, visions and missions, as well as their educational and research focuses.
The meeting resulted in an initial framework for cooperation, with the main entry points being student and lecturer exchanges, as well as research collaboration in the fields of horticulture, agricultural economics, and forestry.
“This scheme is expected to develop into a broader and more sustainable partnership,” said Prof Dodik, who is also a Professor at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) at IPB University.
In addition to institutional meetings, Prof Dodik and Dr Meti also gave lectures to NWAFU undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, both international and local. The lectures were enthusiastically received by local students and lecturers.
This cooperation initiative was also facilitated by Surya Bagus Mahardika, a doctoral student from Indonesia at NWAFU and an alumnus of IPB University. He considers the advancement of agricultural technology in Yangling to be a strong attraction for long-term cooperation, as well as a learning opportunity for Indonesian students.
“Going forward, IPB University and NWAFU have agreed to follow up on this initiative with concrete steps. We also hope that NWAFU leaders can visit Bogor as part of strengthening research and education collaboration in the field of sustainable agriculture and forestry,” he said. (*/Rz) (IAAS/LAN)
