YOGYAKARTA — The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FAT) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a working delegation from Anhui Agricultural University (AAU), China, on Tuesday (Oct 27, 2026). This strategic visit focused on introducing agricultural mechanization laboratory facilities and indoor farming technologies to explore collaborative opportunities in international education, research, and academic development.
The multidisciplinary AAU delegation included Vice President LI Hong; Deputy Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences TENG Han; Deputy Director of the Office of Science and Technology GU Longjiang; Deputy Dean of the School of Horticulture YUAN Lingyun; Deputy Director of the International Office DING Hui; and Professor of the School of Animal Science and Technology CHEN Xingyong.
The delegation from the Chinese higher education institution was officially received by the Head of the Energy and Agricultural Machinery Laboratory at DTPB FAT UGM, Dr. Andri Prima Nugroho, S.T.P., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Touring Mechanization Laboratories and Smart Farming Innovations
During their visit to the Energy and Agricultural Machinery Laboratory, the delegation received a comprehensive presentation from Dr. Andri regarding the progress of agricultural machinery and equipment research at FAT UGM. The showcased equipment included precision soil tillage instruments, transplanters, and various supporting tools for smart farming applications aimed at enhancing cultivation efficiency.
Furthermore, the AAU delegation was guided to tour DTPB FAT UGM’s flagship research facility, the Smart Agri Plant Factory. This facility serves as a pilot center and technology display for indoor farming, seamlessly integrating research activities, academic learning, and high-value vegetable production.
At the facility, Dr. Andri explained that DTPB FAT UGM is currently conducting cutting-edge research encompassing environmental monitoring and control, as well as plant sensing technology.
Proof of DTPB UGM’s Expertise in Biosystems Engineering
In addition to intelligent sensing and monitoring, the optimization of cultivation room designs using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach was also showcased. The integration of this crop microclimate engineering research demonstrates the high-level expertise of DTPB FAT UGM faculty members and researchers in advancing globally competitive smart agriculture innovations.
This visit serves as a strategic platform for academic information exchange between UGM and AAU. Moving forward, inter-institutional dialogue is expected to result in concrete collaborations, including joint research and educational programs tailored to mutual needs. This international synergy strengthens DTPB FAT UGM’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
