Kupang – Universitas Nusa Cendana (Undana) continues to enhance cooperation and synergy with a number of world-renowned universities. At the beginning of 2023, Undana is again collaborating with University of Kentucky, a University in the United States of America (USA).
The collaboration was marked by the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Undana’s chancellor Prof. Dr. drh. Maxs U. E. Sanam, M.Sc and the representative of Plant Pathology Department, University of Kentucky, Dr. Nicole Gauthier in Undana’s rectorate meeting room, monday (6/3/2023).
The signing was witnessed by the Dean of Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta), Dr. Ir. Muhammad S. M. Nur, M.Si, Deputy Dean I Faperta, Dr. Ir. Mayavira V. Hahuly, M.CP, Head of General Affairs and Finance Beareau, Dra. Karolina K. Sangakala, M.Si, Deputy and Head of International Relations Office, Ir. Mario Lobo, M.Math.Sc., Ph.D, and Henry Smith, (Candidate M.S).
The roles that will be carried out by both parties include; sharing of knowledge and experience through biennial meetings, university webinars, and informal communication between plant pathology faculty and staff; collaborate on the development of student and staff training resources for disease identification and disease management; and participate in the development of education and outreach resources for farmers.
Chancellor of Undana, Prof. Dr. drh. Maxs U. E. Sanam, M.Sc in his remarks welcomed the cooperation carried out by both parties. He was very happy and grateful for the presence of two plant disease experts at Undana to collaborate.
Prof. Maxs also supports Dr. Nichole and Hendry Smith who will attend the international workshop held by IRO Undana until March 8.
Dr. Nicole Gauthier on that occasion expressed her gratitude because Undana was willing to accept their presence well, and signed an MoU with the Chancellor of Undana. Dr. Nicole also admitted that she was happy because she had seen the Undana campus first hand, and visited several places in Kupang City, including the Crystal Cave, Oenesu, Monkey Cave, Christal Cave, and also saw rice fields in Kupang.
The same thing was conveyed by the Head of IRO Undana, Ir. Maria Lobo, M.Math.Sc., Ph.D. He was also very grateful because the University of Kentucky only chose Undana to execute a number of these collaborative activities.
The Head of IRO added that after the MoU, the signing of the Cooperation Agreement (PKS) will also be carried out in the near future with the Faculty of Agriculture.
He explained that the workshop that will be held has the theme "The Importance of accurate plant pathogen detection and identification on plant disease monitoring and management."
A number of key speakers who will appear in the workshop, Dr. Nicole Gauthier and Dr. Misbakhul Munir Professor of Agriculture Undana, Prof. Yosep Seran Mau; Sri Widinugraheni M.Sc, Prof. Dr. Siti Subandiyah from Gadjah Mada University.