Yogyakarta, January 19, 2026 — The Doctoral Program in Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM) conducted a Dissertation Proposal Examination for doctoral student Andra Tersiana Wati. While such examinations are a routine academic activity, this session was distinguished by the involvement of an international external examiner, Prof. Byoung Kwan Cho from the Department of Biosystems Machinery Engineering, Chungnam National University, South Korea.
The participation of Prof. Cho as an external examiner formed part of the UGM Equity–Joint Supervision Program, a strategic initiative designed to enhance the quality of doctoral education through international academic collaboration. This program enables joint academic supervision and evaluation by international experts, thereby strengthening research quality, global perspectives, and academic rigor at the doctoral level.
Implementation of Joint Supervision in Doctoral Education
The involvement of an international examiner in the dissertation proposal examination reflects the concrete implementation of joint supervision within the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Engineering FTP UGM. Through this scheme, doctoral students benefit from international scientific perspectives, advanced methodological insights, and constructive academic feedback aligned with global research developments.
Prof. Cho’s expertise in biosystems and agricultural machinery engineering provided significant academic value during the examination process. The scholarly discussion extended beyond assessing the feasibility of the proposed research to exploring its scientific contributions, innovation potential, and practical relevance in the field of agricultural engineering.
International Guest Lecture Supporting Academic Activities
In addition to serving as an external examiner, Prof. Cho also delivered an international guest lecture, conducted in a hybrid format (offline and online). The lecture was titled “Application of Spectral Imaging for Quality Measurement of Agricultural Materials”, highlighting the application of spectral imaging technologies for precise and non-destructive quality assessment of agricultural products.
The guest lecture was attended by postgraduate students and members of the academic community at FTP UGM, serving as a platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building in advanced agricultural engineering technologies. This activity further enriched the academic environment of the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Engineering.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The joint supervision initiative and international guest lecture align with FTP UGM’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
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SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strengthened international academic collaboration between UGM and Chungnam National University;
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SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through the development of advanced technologies for efficient and sustainable quality assessment of agricultural materials;
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SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the promotion of research innovation and the application of cutting-edge engineering technologies.
Strengthening Quality and Internationalization of the Doctoral Program
Through the implementation of the Equity–Joint Supervision Program, the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Engineering FTP UGM continues to enhance the quality of doctoral education, research relevance, and international competitiveness. The involvement of global experts such as Prof. Byoung Kwan Cho is expected to expand international research networks, strengthen doctoral research outcomes, and support the program’s vision to become a world-class center of excellence in agricultural engineering education and research.
