Yogyakarta, July 4, 2026 – Strengthening international research networks has become increasingly important in addressing global agricultural challenges, ranging from climate change to sustainable natural resource management. As a continuation of collaborative research activities conducted in Bangka Island, the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM), welcomed two doctoral students from BOKU University, Austria, through the ERASMUS+ Mobility program. The visit included laboratory tours, meetings with faculty and departmental leadership, and a sharing session with doctoral students from the Agricultural Engineering Doctoral Program, providing opportunities to exchange knowledge, strengthen research networks, and explore future academic collaborations.
The visit represents a continuation of the international collaboration established through the ASEA-UNINET and ERASMUS+ Mobility programs. Prior to arriving in Yogyakarta, the two doctoral students participated in field research activities on Bangka Island alongside researchers from DTPB FTP UGM. Their academic visit in Yogyakarta further expanded their understanding of research, education, and innovation within the department.
The BOKU University delegation consisted of Juliana Jäggle, M.Sc. and Lea Wellinger, M.Sc., both participating in the ERASMUS+ Mobility program at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Throughout the visit, they were accompanied by DTPB FTP UGM faculty members: Dr. Prieskarinda Lestari, Dr. Ngadisih, Dr. Andri Prima Nugroho, and Dr. nat. techn. Rizki Maftukhah.
Visiting DTPB FTP UGM Laboratories
During their stay in Yogyakarta, the delegation visited several laboratories within the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. The visits introduced the university’s research facilities, laboratory infrastructure, and ongoing innovations developed by faculty members and researchers.
Melalui kunjungan tersebut, kedua institusi berdiskusi mengenai berbagai topik penelitian, mulai dari teknik sumber daya lahan dan air, rehabilitasi lahan, pertanian presisi (smart agriculture), pengelolaan lingkungan, hingga adaptasi perubahan iklim. Diskusi berlangsung secara interaktif dengan saling berbagi pengalaman mengenai pendekatan riset yang diterapkan di Indonesia maupun Austria.
Bertemu Dekan FTP UGM dan Ketua Departemen DTPB
Meeting with the Dean of FTP UGM and the Head of Department
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Prof. Dr. Eni Harmayani, M.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, and Dr. Arifin Dwi Saputro, S.T.P., M.Sc., IPM., ASEAN Eng., Head of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
The meeting served as an opportunity to strengthen institutional partnerships between FTP UGM and BOKU University. Discussions focused on collaborative research, faculty and student exchanges, joint scientific publications, and academic programs addressing sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and climate change adaptation.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to expanding international partnerships through initiatives such as ASEA-UNINET and ERASMUS+ Mobility, supporting education, research, and community engagement
Sharing Session with Doctoral Students
A key highlight of the visit was a sharing session with doctoral students from UGM’s Agricultural Engineering Doctoral Program.
Doctoral students presented the progress of their dissertation research, covering strategic topics in agricultural and biosystems engineering, including land and water management, environmental engineering, irrigation technology, digital agriculture, and climate-resilient farming systems.
The discussion actively involved Juliana Jäggle and Lea Wellinger, who exchanged perspectives on research methodologies, scientific approaches, academic culture, and doctoral education systems in Indonesia and Austria.
The session was facilitated by faculty members Dr. Prieskarinda Lestari, Dr. Ngadisih, Dr. Andri Prima Nugroho, and Dr. nat. techn. Rizki Maftukhah, who provided scientific insights while encouraging future collaborative research opportunities.
Beyond discussing their ongoing research, participants explored possibilities for joint publications, international research collaborations, academic exchanges, and strengthening institutional networks between UGM and BOKU University. The constructive discussions reflected the collaborative spirit essential for advancing scientific knowledge.
For UGM doctoral students, the session offered valuable international perspectives on research practices, while Juliana Jäggle and Lea Wellinger gained a deeper understanding of tropical agriculture and the innovations currently being developed at DTPB FTP UGM.
Strengthening International Research Networks
The entire series of activities demonstrated DTPB FTP UGM’s commitment to building sustainable international academic partnerships. Through the synergy between ASEA-UNINET and ERASMUS+ Mobility, collaboration extends beyond research projects to include academic exchanges, mobility programs, and capacity building.
Looking ahead, UGM and BOKU University expect this partnership to evolve into expanded collaborative research, joint international publications, faculty and student exchanges, and innovations contributing to agricultural engineering, sustainable natural resource management, and global sustainable agriculture.
