Bandung, August 7–9, 2025 – Dr. Sri Rahayoe, lecturer and researcher at the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), specializing in Food and Postharvest Engineering, actively participated as a panel speaker at the 2025 Indonesia Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI). This prestigious event was held at Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Sabuga), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), from August 7 to 9, 2025. KSTI 2025 is a direct initiative of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, aimed at gathering researchers and professors, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), to mobilize scientific contributions for national progress. The convention also serves as a crucial milestone in formulating the national research and technology innovation roadmap. Carrying the overarching theme Astacita, which covers eight national priority research areas, KSTI 2025 serves as a strategic forum that brings together academics, researchers, industry players, and policymakers to discuss the direction of research and innovation development, strengthening national self-reliance while ensuring environmental sustainability in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda.
Dr. Sri Rahayoe’s participation underscores UGM’s commitment, particularly within the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, to advancing the food sector through technological innovation. As a panel speaker in Session 3, themed Technological Innovation in Food Production Downstreaming, she presented a talk entitled “Advanced Processing & Food Bioconversion for the Future”, in which she highlighted the potential of porang as an alternative food source and its advanced processing technologies. The panel discussion explored crucial aspects of leveraging technology to enhance the added value of food products, improve processing efficiency, and ensure postharvest sustainability.
In her session, Dr. Sri Rahayoe emphasized that innovation in the downstreaming of food production—including the development of alternative food sources such as porang and advanced processing technologies—is essential to strengthening national food security. This is not only about diversifying food sources but also about optimizing the utilization of agricultural products and reducing waste. She also highlighted how innovative food processing technologies directly support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger by increasing the availability and accessibility of nutritious food, and SDG 13: Climate Action by promoting more efficient and sustainable processing practices, reducing carbon footprints, and minimizing postharvest losses.
At the conclusion, Dr. Sri Rahayoe offered a series of recommendations aimed at remapping porang production and quality, strengthening and mentoring SMEs in porang processing, and developing the glucomannan flour industry.
Dr. Sri Rahayoe’s presence as a panelist at KSTI 2025 reflects the strategic role of universities in fostering innovation and cross-sector collaboration. KSTI serves as a vital platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation, expected to inspire innovative and sustainable solutions to advance Indonesia’s food sector, enhance its global competitiveness, and contribute to food security as well as climate change mitigation.
