General Lecture by PT. Sampoerna Agro Tbk
The Master’s Program in Agroecotechnology at the Faculty of Agriculture, UNIB, and PERIPI (Association of Indonesian Plant Breeding Scientists) Bengkulu Chapter, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, hosted a Guest Lecture from PT. Sampoerna Agro Tbk. Jakarta. The Director of Sampoerna Agro, Dwi Asmono, Ph.D., an expert in plant breeding from a university in the United States, along with his team, were received by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Indra Cahyadinata, M.Si, the Chairperson of PERIPI Bengkulu Chapter, Prof. Dr. Ir. Dwi Wahyuni Ganefianti, MS., the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Vice Chairperson of PERIPI Bengkulu Chapter, Prof. Heri Dwi Putranto, PhD, the Vice Dean for Resources, Dr. Ir. Suharyanto, M.Si., the Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. Hesti Pujiwati, M.Si., and the Head of the Agroecotechnology Master’s Program, Prof. Dr. Ir. Alnopri, MS.
Taking place at the GSG of University of Bengkulu, Mr. Dwi Asmono, PhD, shared his knowledge and experiences summarized in the title “Driving Innovation to Maximize Plantation Productivity,” moderated by Prof. Dr. Ir. Marlin, M.Sc. from the Department of Agricultural. Hundreds of academic members of the Faculty of Agriculture, including undergraduate and graduate students in Agroecotechnology, alumni, faculty members, representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Food Crops, as well as PERIPI Bengkulu Chapter members, attended this Guest Lecture.
In his presentation, Mr. Asmono outlined the operational areas and development of Sampoerna Agro in Indonesia, including its formation history. Furthermore, during the Guest Lecture, Dr. Dwi Asmono extended an opportunity and offer to all academic members of the Faculty of Agriculture to collaborate on breeding research concerning oil palm, coffee, and several other plant species. Concurrently with this offer, the Faculty of Agriculture, through Dean Dr. Indra, welcomed the proposal and expressed a desire to continue the positive relationship between the two institutions in a collaborative effort regarding education, research, and community service.
Following his role as a speaker at the Guest Lecture, Mr. Dwi Asmono, PhD, accompanied by Dr. Hesti Pujiwati and Prof. Alnopri, was invited to visit Kepahiang Regency to observe firsthand two flagship germplasm, the giant flower Raflesia Arnoldi and coffee plants, pride of Bengkulu Province.
