Mataram, University of Mataram – The delegation of the University of Mataram (Unram) led by the Rector held a working visit to the University of Western Australia (UWA) on Monday, October 28, 2024. This visit aims to initiate, strengthen, and implement strategic cooperation with universities in Western Australia.

The visit began with a warm welcome by Mrs. Onna Evdokimoff (Global Engagment Manager), Prof. Kadambot Siddique (Hackett Professor of Agriculture Chair and Director, Institute of Agriculture), Prof. Matthias Leopold (Head of Department of Agriculture), and Prof. Nanthi Bolan (Senior Soil Scientist).

This meeting discussed opportunities for cooperation that could be made between Unram and UWA, where the Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D. and Head of LPPM Unram, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr. also discussed several opportunities for cooperation that could be carried out in the near future and initiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Unram and UWA agreed to establish strategic collaboration through various activities, including joint international conferences, keynote speakers, and adjunct professors. The plan includes invitations for Prof. Kadambot Siddique and Prof. Nanthi Bolan as keynote speakers, and Prof. Matthias Leopold as invited speaker at the conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment in Indonesia in 2025.

Besides, laboratory training, Ph.D. study opportunities, and collaborative research on microplastics and biocharcoal were discussed, as well as a two-week short course program for Indonesian students.

Furthermore, a visit to the Plant Energy Biology laboratory in the Bayliss Building provided insight into innovative research, such as the cultivation of commodities in gravity-free areas for space and the development of drought-resistant wheat varieties. The Unram delegation also visited the UWA XRD facility led by Mrs. Emielda Yusiharni, an alumnus of Unram’s Faculty of Agriculture, and discussed plans to procure X-Ray Diffraction instruments by 2025. This plan, with assistance from UWA, is expected to provide significant benefits in mineral testing for the region and Indonesia.

Furthermore, visit to UWA Medical School, Nedlands Campus accompanied by Prof. Jeff Keeland (Head of School of Biomedical Sciences) and Ms. Onna Evdokimoff. In a meeting at the J. Robin Warren Boardroom, the Unram delegation and UWA Medical School discussed opportunities for cooperation in the fields of entomedicine, tropical diseases, microplastics, the impact of mercury, and immunotherapy.

Dr. dr. Arfi Syamsun, Sp.KF., M.Si.Med., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Unram also proposed a short course program for UWA medical students, including field visits to Community Health Centers, Community Service, as well as opportunities for guest lectures, focus group discussions (FGDs), and joint research.

The visit concluded with a campus tour of UWA on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, which strengthened Unram’s international relationship with one of the world’s best universities. This initiative is expected to improve the quality of Unram’s education, research, and innovation at the global level.