MALANG, Indonesia—Graduate students from across Southeast Asia convened at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) on 2–3 June 2025 for the 10th University Consortium (UC) Graduate Forum. Held under the theme "Innovative Agriculture and Green Technologies for a Resilient Future," the forum was co-organized by UB and the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) and coordinated by SEARCA as the UC Secretariat. The forum provided a platform to present and discuss cutting-edge research aligned with four key sub-themes: digitalization and AI for smart agroindustry, circular economy and sustainable resource management, climate-resilient agriculture and food security, and future food and functional ingredients.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, speaking on behalf of UB Rector Prof. Dr. Widodo, formally opened the event. He called for stronger academic collaboration to address pressing global challenges, emphasizing the role of higher education in promoting food security, sustainability, and climate resilience. He reaffirmed UB's commitment to internationalization and thanked SEARCA and the UC network for enabling young scholars to contribute to regional development through research and innovation.
Dr. Didik Hartono, Director of UB's International Office, underscored the importance of regional cooperation in advancing graduate education and agri-food systems innovation. He commended SEARCA, led by Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, for supporting academic mobility, research collaboration, and mentoring within the UC network.
Dr. Sombilla, as Head of the UC Secretariat, officially welcomed the participants and reiterated the Consortium's commitment to empowering graduate students through regional research exchange. In her keynote address, Dr. Sombilla introduced SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan on Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia or SUSTAIN Southeast Asia, which aims to drive systemic transformation in agriculture through innovation, policy, education, and partnerships. She emphasized the urgent need to address structural barriers in the sector, from climate change and natural resource degradation to aging farmer populations and rising input costs. Dr. Sombilla highlighted the role of higher education in producing future-ready agricultural professionals and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration. She concluded with a call to action for young researchers to view agriculture not merely as a livelihood but as a vehicle for sustainability, equity, and innovation.
During the two-day forum, 25 graduate students presented their research addressing urgent challenges in agriculture and the environment. Projects included machine learning applications for weed detection in soybean fields, the use of lead-tolerant bacteria for bioremediation in disaster-affected soils, and analysis of supply chain losses in the fish industry. Other studies explored biodegradable mulch sheets made from coconut fiber and banana fronds, microbial fuel cells powered by oil palm waste, and nutrient management techniques for chili cultivation. Novel food systems were also showcased, such as grasshopper-based dim sum to address child malnutrition and market-oriented strategies for Thai organic rice branding. The breadth of topics reflected the forum's multidisciplinary approach and its commitment to promoting science-based, regionally relevant solutions.
From left: Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso of UB, Wan Nadirah Binti Wan Chik of UPM, Erwin Espiritu Torres of UPLB, Ma. Joverly M. Abello of CMU, Theresia Roselinda Permata Dewi of IPB, Dr. Tri Wahyu Nugroho of UB, Dr. Mercedita Sombilla of SEARCA, and Dr. Didik Hartono of UB at the 10th UC Graduate Forum held at UB in Malang, Indonesia on 2–3 June 2025.
From left: Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso of UB, Arslan Arshad of UB, Kristin Banyu Risang Hobo of UGM, Huang Zih-Luo of NTU, Jemil Mancao of UPLB, Dr. Tri Wahyu Nugroho of UB, Dr. Mercedita Sombilla of SEARCA, and Dr. Didik Hartono of UB at the 10th UC Graduate Forum held at UB in Malang, Indonesia on 2–3 June 2025.
The forum concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding student contributions. Best Presenter awards went to Theresia Roselinda Permata Dewi of IPB University, Erwin Espiritu Torres of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Ma. Joverly M. Abello ofCentral Mindanao University (CMU), and Wan Nadirah Binti Wan Chik of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Best Abstract awards were presented to Kristin Banyu Risang Hobo of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Huang Zih-Luo of National Taiwan University (NTU), Arslan Arshad of Universitas Brawijaya, and Jemil Mancao of UPLB. In addition to the presentations, participants took part in field visits to the Kayutangan Heritage Area, the Atsiri Laboratory, and culminating in a trip to Mount Bromo which offered cultural immersion and a deeper appreciation of local sustainability efforts.
During the forum, SEARCA and UB formally renewed their memorandum of agreement, reaffirming their commitment to academic and research collaboration. As part of this engagement, Dr. Sombilla paid a courtesy visit to Prof. Dr. Widodo to discuss opportunities for strengthening institutional partnerships such as joint scholarship programs, capacity building initiatives, and research projects.
From left: Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director; Prof. Dr. Widodo, UB Rector; and Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso, UB Vice Rector for Academic Affairs each holds a signed copy of the renewed memorandum of agreement between their institutions.
For over a decade, the UC Graduate Forum has advanced higher education and fostered regional collaboration for a more resilient and inclusive Southeast Asia. It also continues to showcase the vital contributions of young scholars in driving agricultural transformation and promoting sustainable development across the region through research and innovation.