The Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a Guest Lecture and Coffee Chat with Students titled the Empower Youth for Food (EY4F) Campaign on Thursday (9/7) at FTP UGM campus, featured four master’s students from Erasmus University Rotterdam who are part of an International Research Project: Maaike van Rijs, Floor Vriesman, Daan Houweling, and Leon Biesbroeck. Through interactive discussion, the event served as a platform for exchanging ideas on the role of young people in building a more sustainable food system, while also strengthening international academic collaboration. 

Carrying the theme Empower Youth for Food, the event encouraged students to examine the various challenges facing the global food system from a broader perspective. The discussion covered the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-disciplinary collaboration as ways to develop solutions to various issues in the agriculture and food sector. The presence of students from Erasmus University Rotterdam also gave participants the opportunity to learn about experiences, approaches, and practices developing at the international level.

The coffee chat session took place in a warm and interactive atmosphere. FTP UGM students had the opportunity to engage directly in dialogue on a range of issues, from innovation in the food system and entrepreneurship development opportunities to the importance of young people’s involvement in supporting the transformation towards a sustainable food system. The interaction also served as a space to expand academic networks and build cross-cultural understanding among participants.

Through this event, FTP UGM continues to strengthen it’s commitment to fostering a globally oriented learning environment. Collaboration with international students is expected not only to enrich students’ academic perspectives, but also to open up opportunities for cooperation in education, research, and community service that can create real impact for the development of the agriculture and food sectors.

This activity supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through learning grounded in international collaboration; SDG 2 Zero Hunger, through strengthening young people’s capacity to support a sustainable food system; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through the development of academic networks and collaboration between FTP UGM and international partner.

Contributor: Bernadetta Shella

The Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a visit from students of SMA Negeri 3 Malang on June 24, 2026 at the FTP UGM campus. The event was part of FTP UGM’s ongoing effort to introduce high school students to university life and the academic environment.

During the event, Dr. Fiametta Ayu Purwandari, S.T.P., M.Sc., a lecture from the Department of Food Technology and Agricultural Product (TPHP), FTP UGM presented material on the profile of Universitas Gadjah Mada, its academic environment, and the various opportunities for self-development available to students during their studies at UGM.

Hendra Muhammad Fajar, S.E., staff of the academic and student affairs division, FTP UGM, presented material on the Faculty of Agricultural Technology UGM. The event continued with a sharing session led by FTP UGM student representatives on student life on campus. 

Through these presentations, the students gained an overview of university life and the academic atmosphere at the higher-education level.

The event ran interactively, with high enthusiasm from the students. During the discussion and Q&A session, students actively sought information on the learning system, student organization activities, academic support facilities, and what it’s like to live as a student at UGM. the relaxed and communicative atmosphere made it easier for students to get a firsthand feel for campus life.

Through this visit, FTP UGM hopes the students gained broader insight into higher education and felt motivated to pursue further studies at university. Beyond serving as an introduction to the academic environment, the event is also expected to help students in determining their interest and study choices for the future. 

This activity also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG  4; Quality Education, through providing inclusive and quality access to educational information, and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals, through strengthening collaboration between universities and school in preparing an excellent competitive younger generation.

The Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP ) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and PT Pertamina (Persero) officially began a research collaboration to develop high-temperature drilling starch based on sago starch, marked by a contract signing and research kick-off on Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Operation Room, FTP UGM. The event was attended by the Vice President of Technology Innovation, Upstream & Low Carbon, PT Pertamina (Persero), Dr. Ali Sundja, representatives from PT Pertamina and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and FTP UGM leadership, marking an initial step forward developing more environmentally friendly, locally sourced drilling materials.

Dean of FTP UGM, Prof. Dr. Ir. Eni Harmayani, M.SC., said the collaboration forms part of a broader effort to strengthen impactful research through synergy among universities, industry, and research institutions. According to her, the development of biodegradable drilling additives opens up opportunities to utilize various Indonesian agricultural commodities, including porang and sago, as functional materials that support the needs of the energy industry while increasing the added value of local commodities.

“Research today needs to be driven toward delivering real impact for industry and society. Collaborations like this create an opportunity to produce innovations that are not only scientifically strong, but also applicable and sustainable,” said Prof. Eni.

On the occasion, the research team presented plans for developing chemically modified sago-starch-based drilling starch as fluid loss reducer for high-temperature drilling operations. The research will run for 12 months, focusing on raw-material characterization, modification process optimization, product characterization, drilling-mud formulation testing, and value-added analysis as the basis for scaling up toward industrial production.

BRIN researcher Yanuar Sigit Pramana explained that Indonesia produces around 85 percent of the world’s sago, yet its utilization remains suboptimal due to its relatively low thermal stability. Through this research, sago starch is expected to be upgraded from a natural commodity into a value-added functional material capable of meeting the needs of the domestic drilling industry. 

Beyond supporting the needs of the energy industry, the development of sago-starch-based drilling starch is also expected to reduce dependence on imported materials, strengthen the competitiveness of the national industry, expand the use of sago in non-food sectors, and generated higher economic value for farmers and business in sago-producing regions.

The collaboration between FTP UGM and PT Pertamina (Persero), and BRIN reflects the strengthening of a triple-helix research ecosystem that connects universities, industry, and research institutions in producing innovations ready for downstream commercialization. Through this synergy, the research is expected to generate not only academic output, but also real solutions for a more efficient and sustainable national energy industry.

This activity supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through the development of technology based on local resources; SDG 12; Responsible Consumption and Production, through the transformation of sago into a value-added product; SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, through the innovation of more environmentally friendly materials supporting the energy industry, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through strategic collaboration among universities, industry, and research institutions.

This morning, August 10th 2024, at 08.00 Western Indonesia Time (GMT+7), marked the 12th day (last day) of the Summer Course (SC) 2024 held by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

At 08.00 the participants should submit their final presentation worked in a group. There are 6 on-site groups and 9 online groups. The presentation session was held in 3 classes namely 1.02, 1.03, 1.04. Each class consists of 2 on-site groups and 3 online groups as well as 2 reviewers. The on-site presentation was about a field trip and the online presentation was about a group project. The presentation time for each group was around 15 minutes (10 minute presentation, 5 minute feedback from reviewer) It started at 10.00 until 12.00 after coffee break.   

The next agenda was lunch break until 13.00. After that, the participants prepared themselves for the closing ceremony and country performance. Around 15.00 all participants gather in FAT Convention Hall to attend the closing ceremony including Dean of Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Eni Harmayani, representative of Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations UGM, Dr. Wiratni, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Yudi Pranoto, Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, Human Resources, and Information System, Prof. Dr. Kuncoro Harto Widodo, Vice Dean for Research, Community Services, Cooperation, and Alumni, Dr. Sri Rahayoe, chairman of the 6th summer course Faculty of Agricultural Technology, UGM, Dr. Agung Putra Pamungkas, Head of Department, Secretary of Department, and Head of Study Program, of Faculty of Agricultural Technology UGM, all lecturers of Faculty of Agricultural Technology, UGM and all the speakers and the participants of The 6th Summer Course Program

The first speech was from The Chairman of the 6th summer course to address the closing remark. Please welcome Dr. Agung Putra. Followed by the next was Dr. Wiratni, the Secretary of the Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations UGM. And the last speech was from The Dean of The Faculty of Agricultural Technology , UGM Prof. Eni Harmayani to give a closing speech and to officially close the 6th Summer Course

An award was given to Muna from Thailand and Arun from Indonesia as the best participants of Summer Course FAT UGM 2024. Then, there were performances from each country. Thailand presented dancing, Philippines presented singing and dancing, Pakistan presented storytelling about culture, Bangladesh presented poem reading, Madagascar presented couple dancing and singing, Egypt and Yemen presented cultural video and singing lastly Indonesia presented dancing “poco-poco”. After all the participants performed, The best performance went to Madagascar, The Philippines, and Thailand. The session was closed by photo session 

This morning, August 4th 2024, at 10.30 Western Indonesia Time (GMT+7), marked the official opening ceremony of the Summer Course (SC) 2024 held by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Dr Agung Putra Pamungkas delivered an opening speech welcoming all the participants from over 15 countries. This year, the SC 2024 carries a theme: Adaptive Technology for Sustainable Agroindustrial Sector in a Response to Climate Change. SC 2024 is a hybrid course consisting of two sessions: pre-course (asynchronous) and course (synchronous). All participants have undergone the pre-course sessions for the last five days from July 29th to August 2nd 2024. During the next seven days, from August 4th to August 10th 2024, the participants will go through course sessions consisting of lectures and trips to the field research station. He hoped the participants would enjoy a productive learning experience on several topics, ranging from on-farm technologies, agroforestry, food processing, food waste recycling and sustainable supply chains.

Dr Wiratni Budhijanto, the Secretary of the Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations UGM, also gave an opening speech to welcome the participants. She also mentioned the unique position of UGM in Yogyakarta. She hinted at the community’s wisdom in tackling problems of agriculture and climate change using different perspectives: technological, cultural and even spiritual. She also spoke briefly about sharing knowledge, making memories, friendships and possible collaborations in the future.

Professor Dr. Yudi Pranoto, S.T.P., M.P., the Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FAT) UGM, welcomed the participants and officially opened the Summer Course 2024. He also elaborated on the many academic activities in FAT UGM, committing to learning, research and community service excellence.

Two online lectures followed the opening ceremony. The first lecture was on Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for Livestock Animals Wellbeing, moderated by Putrika Citta Pramesi, M.Sc. from FAT UGM. Dr Jahidul Islam, Associate Professor from Tohoku University Japan, explained the FMT technologies to alleviate disease incidence and reduce antibiotic usage for curing diseased calves. He elaborated on the possible delivery mechanism of FMT using formulated prebiotics, which can alter dysbiosis in calves. The FMT implementation aimed to restore the balance of gut microbiota and improve the health status of livestock animals.

The second lecture was on Carbon Measurement for Mitigating Climate Change, moderated by Dr Ahdiar Fikri Maulana from Vocational College UGM. Dr Rebecca Hood-Nowotny from BOKU Vienna, Austria, described the essentials of soil as the medium to store carbon. Carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide and methane, contributes to climate change. The biotic elements, such as plants, bacteria and fungi, convert the labile pool of carbon into a stable pool using a mechanism called carbon entombing. She elaborated more on the biotic-mediated contribution of carbon pumps to storing carbon in the soil. Finally, she explained how to increase soil health while also improving the carbon storage in the soil using biochar.