The researcher network of the bark beetles and ambrosia beetles in the world, through Universitas Brawijaya in collaboration with the University of Florida America held a Collaboration Research Workshop meeting in Indonesia. The activity entitled FIFTH Bark and Beetle Ambrosia Academy took place on (15/10-18/10/2024) and was attended by more than 30 participants from 12 countries representing foreign researchers from various parts of the world.
The chief executive, Prof. Dr. Hagus Tarno, Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture UB, told Prasetya that the event was carried out from previously often communicating in research groups.
“This activity actually started from a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NCF) of America, which is a large fund provided by American researchers who collaborate with foreign researchers,” he said.
He said that in the discussion over the last two years, the research group wanted to hold their activities in Indonesia. The activity was finally realized and facilitated by one of the researchers from the University of Florida, Professor Jiri Hulcr.
“Starting from the personal researchers of each university, I asked for permission from UB in this case the Chancellor of Universitas Brawijaya and Alhamdulillah agreed and facilitated this activity under the management of UB Integrated Research Institute (LRT),” said Prof. Hagus.
This workshop presented speakers from various countries, including Prof. Jiri Hulcr himself from the University of Florida, Dr. Sarah Smith from Michigan State University America, Prof. Simon Lowson from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Dr. Lei Gao from the Shanghai Academy of Landscape Architecture Science and Planning China, and Prof. Hagus Tarno from Universitas Brawijaya.
“On this occasion, we get a lot of things. We gather here in order to study more deeply, discuss and update the research that we previously conducted together related to Ambrosia and Bark Beetle which are types of beetles that attack tree bark,” said Prof. Hagus.
It was said that there were two groups of activities, the first Symposium, this activity invited many people who were interested in research and wanted to update about Ambrosia and Bark Beetle.
In addition to being attended by researchers from BRIN, plant quarantine and other researchers from Indonesia, this event was attended by researchers from various foreign countries such as Australia, America, and China. Then researchers from Southeast Asia were Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. While researchers from Europe were Slovenia and Belgium.
On this occasion, the University of Florida has prepared around 30 boxes of preserved Ambrosia insect sample species to be identified together.
While the second activity is a workshop to increase the capacity of each participant in identifying insects or Ambrosia beetles and bark beetles.
In addition, participants were also invited to do field practice on how they collect and identify various insect samples in UB Forest. In the end, the identified samples will be collected and stored at Universitas Brawijaya.
Prof. Hagus hopes that this activity will continue and can be an attraction to attract many foreign researchers to come to Brawijaya and can focus on development related to Ambrosia and Bark Beetle.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Imam Santoso S.P., M.P welcomed the collaboration between UB and the University of Florida.
“This workshop is our effort to collaborate with many universities abroad and we are very happy because this shows that UB has very strong relations with major universities in the world,” he said.
“And because of that we can present participants from various worlds, which is UB’s trust to be the organizer for this activity,” he said.
The FIFTH Bark and Ambrosia Beetle Academy was attended by people from various countries, with various backgrounds and perspectives, some as academics, research institutions, from the government, can discuss and collaborate with each other in an effort to enrich knowledge and share experiences.
Prof. Imam also said that UB is very open to them to continue collaborating in the long term.
“We also invite them to join the Adjunct Professor, Visiting Lecture and Collaborative Research programs.
Through that, we will continue to improve relations with universities in the world, and including researchers from research institutions in which our position in the international world is taken into account, both academically and in relation to our contribution to development both at the national and international levels,” said Prof. Imam
Meanwhile, Prof. Jiri Hulcr expressed his gratitude and greatly appreciated all the support from Universitas Brawijaya in supporting the smooth implementation of the Symposium and Workshop “Bark and Ambrosia Beetle Academy”.
“We would like to thank the Head of Universitas Brawijaya, Prof. Widodo, SSi., MSi., PhD. Med. Sc. and the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso, MP. This activity is the beginning of a long collaboration between Universitas Brawijaya and the University of Florida,” he said.
Prof. Jiri Hulcr said that after this activity, it will be continued with training in May to June 2025 at the University of Florida.
“Specifically given to researchers from Indonesia, the University of Florida will provide one quota for Universitas Brawijaya to support research with the theme Bark and Ambrosia Beetle,” he said.
Furthermore, it was conveyed that the quota is a Scholarship in the form of round-trip airfare, accommodation, and living expenses during training at the University of Florida. It is hoped that Researchers from Universitas Brawijaya can also participate, help implement activities at UB and for the next one will continue in the form of joint research between the University of Florida and Universitas Brawijaya. (KAN/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
