Yogyakarta, July 28, 2026 – Developing innovative postharvest technologies requires strong interdisciplinary collaboration and international research partnerships. To strengthen academic cooperation while fostering innovation in postharvest engineering, the Computer-aided Postharvest Technology (CaPT) Research Group of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM) organized a Mini Conference entitled “Non-Destructive Technology Innovations to Improve the Quality and Safety of Agroindustrial Products.” Held on Tuesday (July 28), the conference served as a platform for Indonesian and Chinese researchers to exchange ideas on the development of non-destructive technologies for improving the quality and safety of agroindustrial products.
A Collaborative Forum for Indonesian and Chinese Researchers
The mini conference was jointly organized by the Computer-aided Postharvest Technology (CaPT) Research Group of DTPB FTP UGM and the College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU), China. The NAU delegation was led by Prof. Leiqing Pan and Associate Prof. Weijie Lan, who have become strategic partners of DTPB FTP UGM in advancing research on food technology and postharvest engineering.
The event brought together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and researchers from the College of Food Science and Technology at NAU, the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at UGM, as well as researchers from the Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology, FTP UGM. Participants presented a wide range of research focusing on non-destructive technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), digital image processing, sensor technology, and other cutting-edge innovations aimed at improving the quality and safety of agroindustrial products.
The conference was officially opened by Dr. Arifin Dwi Saputro, S.T.P., M.Sc., Head of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, FTP UGM. Also in attendance were Dr. Hanim Zuhrotul Amanah, S.T.P., M.P., Ph.D., Head of the Master’s Program in Agricultural Engineering, and Dr. Rudiati Evi Masithoh, S.T.P., M.Dev.Tech., Ph.D., Head of the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Engineering.
Promoting Research Collaboration and Developing Young Researchers
As the conference chair, Dr. Bayu Nugraha, S.T.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., explained that the mini conference was designed as a scientific forum to strengthen research collaboration between UGM and Nanjing Agricultural University.
“Through this mini conference, researchers from FTP UGM and NAU can exchange ideas and gain a better understanding of each other’s ongoing research. We hope these discussions will open broader opportunities for collaborative research between our two institutions,” said Dr. Bayu.
He also emphasized that the conference plays an important role in developing graduate students and early-career researchers.
“Beyond strengthening collaboration, this forum provides graduate students and young researchers with valuable opportunities to present their research findings in an international scientific setting, helping them improve their academic communication skills while expanding their professional research networks.”
Strengthening International Academic Partnership
During the conference, Associate Prof. Weijie Lan expressed his appreciation for the progress achieved through the partnership between the two institutions.
He noted that the collaboration between DTPB FTP UGM and the College of Food Science and Technology, NAU has shown significant promise and offers substantial opportunities for future development.
“We hope that the collaboration between DTPB FTP UGM and the College of Food Science and Technology at NAU will continue to grow and provide meaningful benefits for the academic communities of both institutions through joint research, academic exchange, and international scientific publications,” he remarked.
Continuing a Strategic Academic Partnership
The mini conference represents a continuation of the academic partnership initiated during Dr. Bayu Nugraha’s academic visit to Nanjing Agricultural University, China, on November 17–21, 2025. The visit marked a strategic step toward strengthening collaboration in food technology, postharvest engineering, and digital technology-based research.
Since then, academic communication between the two institutions has continued to develop through collaborative research activities, scientific discussions, reciprocal visits by Prof. Leiqing Pan and Associate Prof. Weijie Lan to Universitas Gadjah Mada, and various knowledge exchange initiatives involving faculty members, researchers, and students.
Advancing Technology-Based Postharvest Innovation
Through the Mini Conference on “Non-Destructive Technology Innovations to Improve the Quality and Safety of Agroindustrial Products,” DTPB FTP UGM reaffirmed its commitment to expanding international research networks while promoting the development of digital innovation in postharvest technology.
The collaboration between DTPB FTP UGM and Nanjing Agricultural University is expected to generate joint research projects, internationally recognized scientific publications, human resource development initiatives, and innovative non-destructive technologies that enhance the quality, safety, and global competitiveness of agroindustrial products.
