CLSU Affirms Commitment with Partner Indonesian Universities to Boost Internationalization, Promote eFARM Academy Program

Some faculty members from the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) paid a courtesy visit to the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) University and the Pakuan University (UNPAK) in Bogor, Indonesia from August 17-18, 2022 to affirm its commitment to strengthening international relationships and promoting the engaging Food and Agriculture Resources Management (eFARM) Academy Program of the University. The delegation was composed of the eFARM Academy Program team led by Dr. Gella Patria L. Abella, program leader, Dr. Celyrah B. Castillo and Asst. Prof. Maria Adrielle S. Estigoy, project leaders, and Dr. Mercedita M. Reyes, project staff. In addition, Dr. Emil F. Ubaldo of the International Affairs Office-International Mobility Unit joined the visit. The highlights of the visit include the introduction of the eFARM Academy Program, discussions on possible areas of collaboration with researchers from IPB University and UnPak and opportunities for student exchanges, and benchmarking of the agroedutourism sites on IPB campuses. Prof. Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat, Vice Rector for International Affairs, Collaboration and Alumni Relation, Dr. Sintho Wahyuning Ardie, Deputy Director for International Program Services, and Dr. -Ing. Dase Hunaefi, Deputy Director for Collaboration and International Relations welcomed the team to IPB University. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Nurrochmat also shared their game-changing community-based innovations at IPB University wherein one of which is the One village, One CEO program. “The [One village, One CEO] program aims to improve the sociopreneurship skills of students and to provide value and impact for village development which is significant in contributing to the economic growth of Indonesia,” Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Nurrochmat said. Meanwhile, in UNPAK, the team was met by Dr. Asep Denih, Dean of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Dr. Herfina, S. Kom, Deputy Dean for Education and Student Affairs, Dr. Bina Lohita Sari, Assistant Dean for Research, Mr. Usep Suhendar, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Ms. Sara Nurmala, Head of Cooperation Unit Faculty, and Dr. Didit Ardianto, Head of University Innovation. “The best part of this activity is that we are able to meet halfway and identify possible resource and knowledge sharing in the future,” said Dr. Denih. On the other hand, Dr. Abella expressed her gratitude to both universities for accommodating the team. She also highlighted that the eFARM Academy is open to students abroad who are interested to learn the technologies generated by CLSU. “We would like to invite your students to be part and enroll in our eFARM Academy. This is in support of the Philippine Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) goal of educating the world through tourism or the StudyPh Program,” she added. To show appreciation for both universities, the team presented a token with the hope to continue the established relationships and open more opportunities for collaboration in academics and research. Since 2017, CLSU has existing Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Exchange and Memorandum of Agreement on Student Exchange with IPB University and a Memorandum of Understanding with UNPAK.