As a form of collaboration initiative between campus and industry, Brawijaya University held a group discussion entitled "Postgraduate Micro-Credentials for Food Security and Climate Change". This meeting was held on Friday (8/3) at UB Hotel, and is part of the Erasmus+ program and managed by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). This agenda is an effort to develop short courses to increase competency in food safety and climate change.
Present to open the event, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Brawijaya University, Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso, MP, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between academics and industry in facing this global problem. "This program is part of a joint effort to develop micro-credential education that can support professionals and students in obtaining relevant knowledge and skills," he explained.
Dr. Panji Deoranto, STP., MP, one of the speakers, explained that this program is designed to provide education that is not only theoretical but also practical regarding issues such as environmentally friendly production, climate change mitigation, and waste management. "This is an effort to bridge the needs of the job market with the provision of effective and efficient education," he said.
In the discussion, Wike Agustin Prima Dania, STP., M.Eng., PhD, said that UB plays an important role in developing these micro-credentials, especially in creating a responsive and concise education system. This program is expected to not only encourage continuous learning but also help address increasingly pressing issues of food security and climate change.
The discussion participants, including representatives from industries such as PT. Indolakto, PT. Greenfields Indonesia, and PT. Syngenta Seed Indonesia, as well as UB academics and students, expressed their support for the development of micro-credentials. They agreed that this short educational approach was needed to increase knowledge and competence in the areas of food safety and climate change.
This discussion also touched on various other crucial issues such as the importance of environmentally friendly production, reducing food waste and food loss, as well as risk mitigation strategies related to climate change. Participants agreed that course materials should include practical skills such as environmental impact analysis, effective waste management, and development of environmentally friendly technologies.
From the perspective of industry, Suwarno from PT Syngenta emphasized the importance of industrial activities that are environmentally friendly and in accordance with regulations, such as the green industry program and ISO 14000 standards. He also highlighted the importance of implementing the 3R principles and efficient use of water in industry. Meanwhile, Sugiono from Greenfield emphasized the importance of reducing food waste through alternative technology and good management practices, while Eko from Indolakto emphasized sustainable environmental management throughout the business cycle.
From this FGD. It was concluded that there is a need for education that can respond to industry needs and global challenges related to food safety and climate change. Micro-credentials are considered an effective way to provide relevant knowledge and skills quickly and efficiently. This activity is a significant first step in preparing a workforce that is competent and responsive to future challenges in the fields of food security and climate change.