Building food sovereignty requires more than technological innovation alone, it also calls for human resources with integrity, care, and the ability to collaborate. With that spirit in mind, the Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), officially opened PIONIR Agrophoria 2026 on Tuesday (5/8) at the Kamarijani Soenjoto Auditorium, FTP UGM, under the theme “Nurturing Agrotechnology to Cultivate Food Sovereignty and Sustainable Future.” Over the two-day program, new students were introduced to the role of agrotechnology as the foundation for achieving food sovereignty while building a sustainable future.
Carrying the tagline “Berdaulat Pangan untuk Masa Depan, Kami Agrotech Muda” (Food Sovereignty for the Future, We Are the Young Agrotechnologists), PIONIR Agrophoria 2026 was designed not merely as an introduction to campus life, but as a space for shaping how new students think about food-related challenges from a broader perspective. Students were encouraged to become an adaptive, innovative generation capable of delivering science- and technology-based solutions for the food and agriculture sector.
In her remarks, Prof. Dr. Ir. Eni Harmayani, M.Sc., Dean of FTP UGM, emphasized that the university learning process should not stop at academic achievement alone, but should also produce graduates with strong curiosity who are able to bring real benefit to society. “I’d like to share a few simple messages. First, hold on to a strong sense of curiosity. Don’t study merely to earn grades, study to understand, to find solutions, and to create value for others,” she said.
The Dean added that the challenges students face throughout their studies must be met with strong time-management skills and solid character. “Coursework, student organizations, research, competitions, community service, and personal life all need to run in balance. Success is shaped not only by intelligence, but also by discipline and consistency,” she said.
The Dean also reminded students that integrity remains the foundation every UGM graduate must hold onto. “Build your character. Honesty, responsibility, mutual respect, and the ability to work together matter just as much as academic knowledge. Integrity is the most essential capital a UGM graduate can carry,” she stressed.
That spirit was carried through a series of activities designed to prepare new students for both academic life and the challenges they will face as future agricultural technology professionals. Alongside an introduction to the FTP UGM environment, students took part in a “Career Exploration: Future Me” session, a “Development Class: Discovering Growth in Every Process,” and facilitator-led sessions on academic integrity, time management, digital literacy, and personal development.
In line with the broader theme of PIONIR Agrophoria 2026, students also attended the “Cultivating Agrotechnovation” Talkshow, themed “Synthetic Food Innovation and Natural Resource Efficiency for a Sustainable Future.” The session explored how innovation in agricultural and food technology can help address challenges in food security, natural resource efficiency, and sustainable development. Students then deepened this understanding through a Focus Group Discussion on food security strategy and a personal-development mind-mapping exercise to prepare them for their four years of study ahead.
PIONIR Agrophoria 2026 was coordinated by Fashna Iftirosyana, a 2024 cohort student from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, who served as General Coordinator, together with Moh. Wahyudin, S.T.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., who served as Group Coordinator. The opening ceremony was marked by the assembly of the Agrophoria logo puzzle and the lighting of an installation, symbolizing the start of new students’ journey as part of the FTP UGM family.
Through PIONIR Agrophoria 2026, FTP UGM hopes new students will not only become familiar with campus life, but will also embrace a vision as Agrotech Muda capable of integrating knowledge, innovation, and collaboration to help realize Indonesia’s food sovereignty and build a more sustainable future.
This activity supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, through a strengthened understanding of food security and sovereignty; SDG 4: Quality Education, through character building and orientation for new students; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through the introduction of agrotechnological innovation; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through collaboration across the academic community in preparing the next generation to face global challenges.
Contributor : Bernadetta Shella