The primary agenda of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of a partnership aimed at advancing educational and research opportunities, contributing to the development of sustainable biodiversity management and agricultural practices in the region. This collaboration is expected to play a crucial role in addressing key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as ending poverty (#endpoverty), ensuring food security (#foodsecurity), and providing access to quality education (#accesstoeducation).

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the initiation of a joint scholarship program. This program will include academic exchanges, double degree programs, and joint research projects, particularly targeting students from ASEAN countries. The scholarship aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain international experience and knowledge, thereby enhancing their academic and professional capabilities.

Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono emphasized the importance of this collaboration in fostering a new generation of scientists and researchers who are well-equipped to tackle regional and global challenges. “This partnership with SEARCA is a significant step towards achieving our shared goals of sustainable development and educational excellence,” he stated.

Dr. Glenn Gregorio, on behalf of SEARCA, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “We are excited to work with UGM in creating opportunities for students and researchers. This partnership will not only benefit the academic community but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity management in Southeast Asia,” he said.

In addition to the scholarship discussions, Prof. Dr. Daryono extended an invitation to SEARCA to participate in UGM’s prestigious annual International Conference on Biological Sciences and the Summer Course on Sustainable Tropical Agriculture. These events provide platforms for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to share knowledge and advancements in their respective fields.

The meeting concluded with both parties expressing their commitment to formalizing the partnership and exploring further avenues for collaboration. The joint scholarship program is expected to be launched in the upcoming academic year, with detailed guidelines and application processes to be announced soon.

This initiative is seen as a significant milestone in the efforts to enhance educational and research capacities in the region. By providing students with access to quality education and research opportunities, UGM and SEARCA are contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development and regional cooperation.

The collaboration between UGM and SEARCA is a testament to the power of partnerships in achieving common goals. As both institutions move forward with this initiative, they are setting a precedent for other universities and research centers in the region to follow.

The joint scholarship program and the associated academic events are expected to attract a diverse group of participants, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and innovations. This, in turn, will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for some of the most pressing challenges facing the region today.

M.Si. as Vice Dean for General Affairs and Finance, Faculty of Agriculture, Tidar University and instructor of the Growth Regulatory Substances course. Apart from that, there were also members of the team teaching for the Growth Regulatory Substances course, Muzayyanah Rahmiyah S.P., M.Sc. There are 50 students who attend lectures directly in class and 100 other students attend lectures via the links provided online.

Explained by Prof. Dr, Kumala Dewi MSc.St as a resource person about various plant hormones, the function of each hormone and the mechanism of action of hormones in the process of growth, development and resistance of plants to various stresses, both biotic and abiotic. Regarding efforts to mitigate global climate change which results in impacts on agriculture such as increasing the intensity of sunlight, reducing the availability of ground water, the emergence of pests and plant diseases which can disrupt the growth, development and yield of food crops, it is stated that by understanding the work of hormones, efforts can be made for plants that can tolerate various stresses. For example, rice plants that accumulate cytokines can produce more grain due to changes in panicle architecture and an increase in the ability of the grain (in this case the grain) to obtain photosynthetic. In addition, tobacco plants that are able to produce more cytokines are more drought tolerant because they delay leaf senescence.

Students who took part in the lecture were quite enthusiastic in asking several questions during the presentation of the material. Apart from that, there were several quiz questions given to students and students who answered correctly received prizes/mementos from the presenters. At the end of the lecture, one of the student representatives also expressed his thanks for receiving the lecture material on phytohormones and growth regulators. Thanks were also conveyed by Dr. Tri Suwarni Wahyudiningsih, S.Si., M.Si. regarding the lecture material that has been presented. Apart from that, through this lecture it is hoped that students will gain a more detailed understanding of plant hormones and the methods that can be applied to modify plant growth and development. It is hoped that this knowledge about phytohormones and growth regulators can be applied in an effort to obtain plants that are tolerant to various stresses due to global climate change. The presentation of lecture material on phytohormones and growth regulators also supports two of the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), namely Zero hunger (Goal 2) and Climate Action (Goal 13). The lecture session ended with a group photo between the speakers, namely Prof, Dr. Kumala Dewi MSc.St., lecturer in the Growth Regulatory Substances course at the Faculty of Agriculture, Tidar University, namely Dr. Tri Suwarni Wahyudiningsih, S.Si., M.Si. and Muzayyanah Rahmiyah S.P., M.Sc. as well as all students who take this course.