Yogyakarta, 9 November 2023 – As part of its commitment to expanding its network in the international arena, Faculty of Biology UGM has initiated another collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU). The online meeting was held attended by Prof. Peter Solomon as Director of The ARC Training Center in Plant Biosecurity and Sarah Adams as Business Development Manager at the Australian National University. From the Faculty of Biology UGM was attended by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Nur Indah Septriani, Ph.D. as Head of the International Affairs Office, Faculty of Biology, Rina Sri Kasiamdari, Ph.D. from the Plant Systematics Laboratory, and Dr. Aprilia Sufi Subiastuti from the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM.
The Australian Research Center (ARC) Training Center in Plant Biosecurity is a study center at the Australian National University which collaborates with various parties including institutions, research institutes, universities, and stakeholders both in Australia and in other countries. Through his presentation, Prof. Peter explained the urgency of plant biosecurity in its role to prevent and overcome pests and diseases in plants which indirectly impact the economy and the environment. The training center also focuses on developing new technologies in plant biosecurity research. Prof. Peter also said that the training center does not only focus on research development but also on developing capabilities and facilities for researchers. He revealed that at least 17 doctoral students and 4 post-doctoral students from various countries and institutions expected to be involved in the training center and research center.
Dr. Eko expressed his appreciation for the collaboration initiative with ANU, especially with the ARC Training Center in Plant Biosecurity. He said that this collaboration could be developed towards more specific collaborations, including workshops and certification for lecturers and researchers, as well as research and publication collaboration between researchers at the Faculty of Biology and ANU as well as other researchers who could collaborate through the development of training and research centers at the best universities in Australia. the. This is also related to the development of a study center at the Faculty of Biology UGM, the Study Center for Biodiversity, Bioprospecting, and Biosecurity. Dr. Eko also revealed plans to extend cooperation with ANU and opportunities to explore collaboration with various research and publication funding schemes in the future.
This meeting is a step for the Faculty of Biology to improve the quality of education by collaborating with partners at the international level as well as building good relationships, especially with the Australian National University, which has been established since 2017. In addition, this collaboration is a commitment from the UGM Faculty of Biology in supporting sustainable development and in accordance with sustainable development targets (SDGs), namely good quality education (SDGs 4) and revitalization of global partnerships (SDGs 17).