Enriching Academic Activities at ATPBAR 2026

Bogor, July 2026. The on-site session of the International Summer Course on Advanced Technology in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology for Agricultural Resilience (ATPBAR) 2026 was held from July 6 to 11, 2026, at IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia. Organized by the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, the program brought together five international lecturers and researchers. To make the most of their visit, several academic side events were arranged, providing valuable opportunities for student examinations, research discussions, and international collaboration.

One of the highlights was Sachio’s PhD preliminary qualification exam, held on July 7, 2026, for a doctoral student in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology. Sachio is co-supervised by Prof. Dewi Sukma and Prof. Sudarsono of IPB University, together with Dr. Ming-Tsair Chan of Academia Sinica, Taiwan, and Prof. Masaru Ohme-Takagi of National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. Dr. Shu-Yun Chen from National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, served as the external examiner, ensuring a rigorous and internationally recognized evaluation process.

On July 9, 2026, a colloquium was conducted for Master’s student Dewi Sukma Inderawati, also from Plant Breeding and Biotechnology. Her research presentation was guided by her supervisors, Dr. Sintho Wahyuning Ardie of IPB University and Dr. Daisuke Tsugama of Tokyo University, Japan. The colloquium was followed by a supervisory commission meeting on the same day, reflecting the Department’s commitment to structured academic mentoring and international engagement.

The following day, July 10, 2026, Master’s student Safira Awaliyah successfully defended her thesis in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology. She was co-supervised by Dr. Sintho Wahyuning Ardie and Dr. Willy Bayuardi Suwarno of IPB University, with Dr. Daisuke Tsugama from Tokyo University serving as the external examiner. The examination provided constructive feedback and marked an important academic achievement for Safira.

On the same day, the Marigold research team led by Prof. Dewi Sukma held a discussion session with international lecturers and researchers. Students under her supervision presented their research progress, receiving valuable comments and insights from Prof. Masaru Ohme-Takagi (National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan), Dr. Ming-Tsair Chan (Academia Sinica, Taiwan), Dr. Shu-Yun Chen (National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan), and Dr. Nguyen Bao Quoc (Nong Lam University, Vietnam). This collaborative exchange not only strengthened the students’ research but also fostered deeper international partnerships.

Through these side events, the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture demonstrated its dedication to advancing academic excellence and international collaboration. By integrating examinations, colloquia, thesis defense, and research discussions into the Summer Course framework, the Department continues to enhance the quality of education and research in plant breeding and biotechnology, while building strong global networks that support agricultural resilience.

[swa]