Leuven, Belgium, January 10, 2025 – The CaPT (Computer-aided Postharvest Technology) Research Team from the Laboratory of Food Engineering, Postharvest, and Bioprocess (TPPB), Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, represented by lecturer Bayu Nugraha, S.T.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., and student Nurul Khomariyah (class of 2021), collaborated with the Mechatronics, Biostatistics, and Sensors (MeBioS) Research Team from the Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Belgium.
This initiative is part of the Academic Internationalization Strengthening Program through Joint Supervision, organized by the Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations, as well as the International Joint Research Academy (IJRA) program conducted by Universitas Gadjah Mada. The primary goal of this program is to conduct research on the analysis of physical parameters of chili peppers using X-ray CT technology. Additionally, it aims to support collaborative research that can produce high-impact publications.
Representatives from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, also had the opportunity to access several facilities, including workstations for conducting analyses. Additionally, they were introduced to and given explanations about the VCBT (Flanders Centre of Postharvest Technology) laboratory and its advanced technologies that support research needs. VCBT is a laboratory specializing in research and consultancy services related to postharvest topics, optimal storage conditions, storage facility development, packaging, and postharvest product quality assessment. VCBT holds ISO 17025 accreditation, similar to the accreditation obtained by the TPPB laboratory.
Through this collaboration, the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering aims to stay up to date with technological advancements supporting research at KU Leuven.
The participation of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in this program provides valuable experience and insights beyond the campus, especially for the supervising lecturers and students involved. Furthermore, this activity supports the achievement of Key Performance Indicators (IKU) 2, 3, and 6, which include students gaining off-campus experience, lecturers engaging in activities outside the university, and study programs collaborating with world-class partners. This initiative also aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on quality education and Goal 17 on partnerships for achieving objectives. Through this program, it is expected that students’ capabilities in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering will be enhanced, and more students and supervisors will be able to participate in similar programs.
Contributors: Bayu Nugraha & Nurul Khomariyah
