Wageningen, the Netherlands, September 12, 2026 – Muhammad Athala Fawwaz Dzaky, a Master’s student in Agricultural Engineering at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and a member of the Smart Agriculture Research Center (SARC), Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), FTP UGM, participated in a student mobility program at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Netherlands, from September 1–12, 2026. The activity was part of the International Joint Supervision Program (IJSP), which provides students with opportunities to gain academic and research experience through joint supervision with international partner universities.
Through the program, Athala received supervision from Dr. Andri Prima Nugroho as his UGM supervisor and Dr. Joseph Peller as his WUR supervisor. Dr. Andri also accompanied Athala throughout the academic and research activities in Wageningen. In addition, Athala had the opportunity to consult with Prof. Dr. Gerrit Polder regarding spectral imaging technology and its application in agricultural research.
Strengthening Research through Joint Supervision
The IJSP activities included research supervision, laboratory practice, scientific discussions, and assistance in preparing a manuscript for submission to an international journal.
Through joint supervision between UGM and WUR, Athala had the opportunity to discuss his research progress, review the methods being used, and receive feedback on how to present his research findings scientifically. The supervision was an important part of strengthening the quality of his research while introducing him to research practices in an international academic environment.
Learning Spectral Imaging for Plant Phenotyping
One of the main activities took place at the Vision + Robotics Laboratory at WUR. At the laboratory, Athala learned about spectral imaging technology and its application to plant phenotyping.
By utilizing the equipment and systems available at the laboratory, Athala gained direct experience in understanding how spectral imaging can be used to observe plant characteristics objectively and accurately. This technology offers opportunities to support the development of precision agriculture and smart agricultural systems.
Preparing a Manuscript for International Publication
In addition to laboratory practice, the joint supervision sessions provided Athala with an opportunity to review his research progress in greater depth. The discussions covered research methods, findings, and ways to systematically prepare and present research results.
Athala also received guidance in preparing a manuscript as part of the process toward publication in an international journal. Through this process, he gained experience in organizing research findings into a scientific format and developing them into a manuscript that meets academic publication standards.
Exploring the Academic Ecosystem at Wageningen University & Research
Athala’s experience at WUR extended beyond research activities. During the program, he also had the opportunity to become familiar with the campus environment, educational and research facilities, academic culture, and interactions between students and researchers.
The experience provided him with a direct perspective on the learning and research ecosystem at WUR, particularly in agricultural sciences and technologies supporting the development of modern agriculture.
Muhammad Athala Fawwaz Dzaky during the International Joint Supervision Program at Wageningen University & Research.
Gaining New Experience in Modern Agricultural Development
For Athala, the opportunity to study and conduct research at WUR was an experience he had long dreamed of. He views WUR as an academic environment with a strong focus on the development of modern agriculture, including indoor farming supported by advanced technologies.
The opportunity to interact directly with researchers and participate in laboratory research provided a valuable experience. In addition to gaining knowledge of research technologies, Athala learned about scientific discussions, research implementation, and the systematic preparation of high-quality scientific work.
Strengthening UGM–WUR Academic Collaboration
The IJSP implementation contributes to strengthening academic collaboration between UGM and WUR, particularly in agricultural technology, spectral imaging, and plant phenotyping.
This cross-institutional supervision program also provides students with opportunities to gain research experience in an international environment, build academic networks, and improve their ability to communicate and engage in scientific discussions.
Through the continuation of programs such as IJSP, collaboration between UGM and WUR is expected to grow through research activities, student supervision, scientific publications, and the development of agricultural technology innovations relevant to the future of agriculture.
