The University of Bengkulu and the University of New England Design Sustainable Collaboration Project

Cooperation between international universities continues between the University of Bengkulu (UNIB) and the University of New England (UNE). After successfully carrying out several cooperation activities after the signing of the MoU in 2017, researchers from the two universities are again discussing plans for sustainable collaborative projects.

The focused discussion occurred virtually via the Zoom meeting application, involving researchers from the Faculty of Agriculture UNIB and the School of Environment and Rural Science UNE on Thursday (30/3/2023). Prof. Zainal Muktamar, Dr. Sigit Sudjatmiko, Dr. Fahrurrozi, and other the Faculty of Agriculture UNIB researchers were present. Also attended by UNE representatives in Indonesia.

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UNIB Prof. Dr. Ir. Dwi Wahyuni Ganefianti, M.S, through Vice Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Yansen, welcomed the plan of a sustainable collaborative project between UNIB Researchers and UNE Researchers and hoped that the plan could be realized soon.

“The discussion discussed collaborative projects of organic crop production, food security, and climate change. That theme is very important at this time, and both parties are planning to carry out sustainable collaboration in the long term. When this plan can be implemented properly, it will positively impact institutional capacity and contribute to increasing research capacity and developing science in general,” said Dr. Yansen.

Yansen explained that UNIB and UNE have collaborated in several activities since the signing of the MoU in 2017 and extended in 2019. These activities include carrying out guest professors in the field of Humanities who conduct public lectures at UNIB, even in collaboration with Prof. Caroline Gross (UNE) can position one of UNIB Lecturers, Dr. Yansen (UNIB), as an honorary lecturer at UNE.

Then, in 2022, Prof. Paul Kristiansen (UNE) was invited as a keynote speaker and member of the International Advisory Board for the International Conference at UNIB. And there is also a UNE Team that collaborates with Prof. Wiryono (UNIB) in activities in the home garden area for climate mitigation and adaptation and household security (income, nutrition, food security). One of the final results is a paper ready to be published. “The collaborative activities carried out involve not only lecturers but also students so that with the guest lecturer from UNE, it can provide its own experience and provide knowledge enrichment for UNIB students,” said Dr. Yansen.