Bangkok, June 23–25, 2025 — Master’s students of Agricultural Engineering from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (DTPB FTP UGM) conducted a three-day study trip to Thailand. This program aimed to broaden academic perspectives, enhance global competencies, and establish international collaboration networks in the fields of sustainable agriculture and agro-industrial technology. The delegation was led by the Head of the Master’s Program in Agricultural Engineering, Dr. Ir. Nursigit Bintoro, M.Sc., IPU., ASEAN Eng., APEC Eng., along with accompanying lecturer Makbul Hajad, S.T.P., M.Eng., Ph.D., IPP.
During this visit, the students had the opportunity to explore three of Thailand’s leading universities: King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and Chulalongkorn University.
The first visit took place on June 23, 2025, at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bang Khun Thian Campus. The student delegation received a warm welcome from university representatives and Aryanis Mutia Zahra, S.T.P., M.Si., IPM., a DTPB FTP UGM lecturer currently pursuing her doctoral studies at KMUTT. The agenda began with an institutional introduction session, where students gained insight into KMUTT’s profile and various academic and research programs, particularly in the fields of bioresources and agro-industrial technology. The group then toured several departments within the School of Bioresources and Technology. One of the stops was the Department of Bioinformatics & Systems Biology (BIF), a research hub for bioinformatics and biological systems analysis. The delegation also visited the Department of Biotechnology (BIT), which focuses on applying biotechnology in agricultural product development. The trip continued to the Department of Postharvest Technology (PHT), where students observed the latest postharvest handling technologies developed and applied at KMUTT. Through this visit, students gained new knowledge about postharvest technology advancements, which are expected to be adopted and further developed in Indonesia.
On the second day, June 24, 2025, the group visited the Agricultural Systems and Engineering Academic Program, Department of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, School of Environment, Resources and Development, AIT. Here, students received in-depth explanations about AIT’s academic and research programs focusing on sustainable agricultural systems development. One of the highlights was visiting AIT’s Smart Tropical Greenhouse facility. This facility is equipped with real-time, remote monitoring and control technology for environmental parameters, enabling more efficient tropical crop cultivation. The students enthusiastically discussed the potential application of such technology in Indonesia, especially to address climate change challenges and increase agricultural productivity.
To conclude the study trip, on June 25, 2025, the delegation visited the Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University. This visit also served as an academic gathering with Redika Ardi Kusuma, S.T.P., M.Si., IPP., a lecturer from DTPB FTP UGM currently pursuing his doctoral studies at Chulalongkorn University. In addition to touring laboratory facilities, students engaged in discussions about various ongoing research, particularly in food technology and agro-industrial product innovation.
Through this study trip, it is hoped that students will gain new knowledge, broaden their global insights, and deepen their understanding of the latest technological developments in agriculture and food sectors. Moreover, this activity represents a concrete step in building networking and opening opportunities for international collaboration between DTPB FTP UGM and leading educational and research institutions in Southeast Asia.
This study trip aligns with DTPB FTP UGM’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
• SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing students’ global capacities and perspectives,
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by encouraging the understanding of cutting-edge technologies in the agro-industry, and
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening international academic and research collaboration networks.
