[Unpad Media Channel] Universitas Padjadjaran considers the potential for research collaboration development with the United States Dairy Export Council (USDEC) regarding the development of dairy products to support the national food security strengthening program.
The exploration of collaboration is done through a meeting involving some of Unpad’s executive boards and USDEC delegation that is held at the Executive Lounge Room 2nd Floor Building 2 Unpad Iwa Koesoemasoemantri Campus, Bandung, Thursday (27/6/2024).
The activity is attended by Consultant of USDEC Prof. Eric Jones, Senior Vice President of Market Access and Regulatory Affairs from USDEC Jonathan Gardner, Professor of New Mexico State University Robert Hagevoort, Regional Director of USDEC Dalilah Ghazalay, Division Director at New Mexico Department of AgricultureDustin Cox, Consultant Nortrida Mandica, Ph.D.
In addition, the attendees from Unpad are Director of Innovation and Corporation Prof. Dr. Tomy Perdana, S.P., M.M., Professor of Faculty of Economics and Business as the discussion leader of the meeting between Unpad and USDEC Prof. Popy Rufaidah, S.E., M.B.A., Ph.D., and faculty administrators from Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Economics and Business, and Graduate School of Unpad.
In his explanation, Prof. Jones, who is also an Indonesia Specialist from Northern Illinois University, said that USDEC fully supports the government’s ongoing program to enhance national food security through the strengthening of dairy-based products. USDEC itself has a unique approach that most industries do not have, which is really supporting the local industries.
“The opportunities for multidisciplinary research development between USDEC and Unpad (are) in the fields of nutrition, food, agriculture, and supply chain to support the dairy product industry,” he said.
During the interview with Unpad Media Channel, Prof. Jones said that the collaboration between Unpad and USDEC results in joint faculty research, student exchange, faculty administrator collaboration, and building a knowledge base.
According to Prof. Jones, Unpad is a place full of energy and enthusiasm because the university has created a great atmosphere for its students. “The students I meet from Unpad are engaged, excited. I can see them being the future of Indonesia,” he said.
Furthermore, Gardner said that several dairy industries in the United States have begun initiatives to assist small to medium-scale dairy farmers in Indonesia, including USDEC. In recent years, USDEC has strengthened partnership relations to support Indonesia’s growth by providing nutrition from local farms.
“By enhancing their (local farm) ability to get the most out of their cattle, that helps sustain the overall program. It helps sustain their ability not only to maximize their farm, their product but to elevate their standard of living,” explained Gardner.
Gardner also said that the collaboration opportunity between Unpad and USDEC is unlimited. “We have an opportunity to sort of lay the foundation for other groups to come into Indonesia, other countries to come into Indonesia, and work to build Indonesia as better, and to collaborate with Indonesian industries,” he explained.
In her explanation, Ghazalay stated that USDEC has long been committed to strengthening relationships and partnerships in the food and beverage industry, as well as health and nutrition networks, to support Indonesia’s growth.
“One of the areas definitely we see that where we can partner would be in the dairy farming sector, elevating the local dairy farmers to where it needs to be,” she said.
Cox also mentioned that the collaboration with Unpad is conducted by approaching regulatory systems from an educational perspective so that empowerment can be effectively achieved. “Because we have a unique approach with utilizing our university resources from a food safety and a regulatory background,” he explained.
Hageford, an Extension Dairy Specialist and Topliff Dairy Chair said that USDEC is ready to assist producers in Indonesia to become better and more efficient in producing higher-quality dairy products.
The activity then continues with discussions among deans and vice deans from each faculty with USDEC regarding the research collaboration that will be conducted.
In his speech, Prof. Tomy welcomed the potential collaboration between Unpad and USDEC. He noted that Unpad has generated numerous research innovations related to government programs, particularly in the dairy product industry, which have been produced by researchers from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at Unpad. (arm/SA)*
