Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Udayana University Holds National Seminar and Communication Forum Meeting for Indonesian Agricultural Technology Colleges

In the context of the 40th Anniversary activities and the 30th Badan Kekeluargaan (BK) of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, and the 62nd Anniversary of Udayana University (Unud), the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Udayana University held a National Seminar and Meeting of the Indonesian Agricultural Technology College Communication Forum ( FKPT-TPI) took place in the Postgraduate Hall, Sudirman Campus, Denpasar, Monday (30/9/24). The activity with the theme "Innovation in Sustainable Agricultural Technology to Support Cultural Tourism" was officially opened by the Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, ST., Ph.D.

Present at this activity was the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology and staff, chairman and members of FKPT-TPI, speakers, chairman and members of the FKPT-TPI Dean's Forum, chairman and members of the Food Technology Study Program Forum, chairman and members of the Food Science and Technology Forum, chairman and member of the Agricultural Product Technology Forum, chairman and members of the Agricultural Product Processing Technology Forum, chairman and members of the Agricultural Industry Technology Forum, chairman and members of the Agriculture and Biosystems Forum, General Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Food Technology Experts (PATPI), General Chairman of the Technology Professionals Association Agroindustry (APTA), General Chair of the Indonesian Agroindustry Association (AGRIN), General Chair of the Indonesian Agricultural Engineering Association (PERTETA).

Chairman of the Seminar Committee, Dr. I Wayan Arnata, S.TP., M.Si in his report said that the number of participants attending the Dean's Forum was 24 people, the Study Program Forum 68 people, the Association Chair 4 people, and the number of national seminar participants was 69 people. Seminar papers presented in this national seminar will be published in nationally accredited journals, indexed by Sinta, which are under the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Udayana University, including the Journal of Agro-Industrial Engineering and Management (Sinta 3), the BETA Journal (Agricultural Biosystems and Engineering) ( Sinta 3), Journal of Food Science and Technology (ITEPA) (Sinta 4), and Scientific Journal of Agricultural Technology Agrotechno (Sinta 4). So it is hoped that this publication can be utilized by stakeholders, researchers, academics and practitioners.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the FKPT-TPI Forum Dr. Ir. Alfi Asben, M.Si in his speech said, The FKPT-TPI year-end meeting is a routine activity that is always carried out by FKPT-TPI. Currently 88 institutions have been registered as members of the FKPT-TPI from several faculties such as the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Industry and others, as well as vocational institutions such as the Lampung State Polytenic (Polinela), Payakumbuh State Agricultural Polytechnic (PPNP) and others. In these vocational faculties and institutions there are departments/departments/study programs which are included in the Agricultural Technology science group as part of FKPT-TPI.

FKPT-TPI is a communication and cooperation forum for agricultural technology universities throughout Indonesia in improving communication and cooperation between universities to be able to play an active role in the development of agriculture and the agricultural industry in Indonesia. Through sharing and discussion, including research collaboration related to science and technology in agricultural sciences, it is hoped that new ideas and innovative ideas will be able to give rise to improving agricultural development and the agricultural industry in Indonesia, which will also support the world of tourism.

This form of cooperation, which includes collaborative research in similar or related scientific fields, is very important at this time in the development of science and technology in related fields of science (Agricultural Technology). In another aspect, fulfilling and achieving several Key Performance Indicators (IKU) which are performance targets that must be met by institutional leaders is important, so that cooperation and collaboration become something that must be carried out between higher education institutions and also with other parties.

It is hoped that FKPT-TPI can increase its function in improving higher education, especially in Agricultural Technology science, which also plays a role in maintaining the quality and quality of education in Indonesia. It is hoped that the active role and contribution of lecturers and position holders in FKPT-TPI will be able to strengthen the scientific foundation and strengthen the direction of Higher Education in Indonesia which is related to the readiness of graduates to be able to enter the workforce.

Furthermore, for the quality of education, one of the indicators can be known from the achievement of accreditation of institutions and study programs. Currently, higher education starting in 2025, according to Minister of Education and Culture, Research and Technology Regulation No. 53 of 2023, will all carry out accreditation through the Independent Accreditation Institute. For FKPT-TPI members, there are 2 Independent Accreditation Institutions (LAM) which will oversee them, namely LAM Engineering and LAM PTIP (Higher Education in Agricultural Sciences). In Agricultural Sciences, LAM PTIP has been established, it is hoped that in early 2025 it will be operational.

Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology Prof. Ir. I Made Anom Sutrisna Wijaya, M.App.Sc., Ph.D., appreciated the implementation of national and international seminars which took place simultaneously because they could support the development and improvement of Key Performance Indicator 6 regarding cooperation programs with world-class partners and KPI 5 regarding the results of the lecturer's work being used for the community or receiving international recognition. Udayana University's role as host for the 2024 Agricultural Technology Higher Education Communication Forum Meeting can be utilized to expand the Tri Dharma Higher Education collaboration.

Meanwhile, the Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. In this case, I Ketut Sudarsana said that sustainable agriculture involves techniques that maintain ecosystem balance, increase production and reduce negative environmental impacts. Technologies such as precision irrigation, vertical farming and the use of renewable energy allow farmers to maximize yields without harming nature. Through this approach, tourists can learn about the importance of protecting the environment through environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This makes agriculture not only a production sector, but also an educational tourist attraction.

He hopes that through the FKPT-TPI Forum and national seminars it will become an arena for collaboration and exchange of information from academics to produce competent college graduates and also produce quality goods and services in the face of a golden Indonesia 2045.