The University of New England recently hosted a senior delegation from Mataram University to discuss research and teaching collaboration, and to renew a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support these activities.

Over the past four years, in association with the ACIAR IndoBeef project, UNE has have been working closely with senior researchers from Mataram University (UNRAM) in Lombok, Indonesia, including Professor Dahlanuddin (now adjunct to UNE), and Professor Surwardji (Vice Rector) to establish a collaboration based on developing doctoral study opportunities for Indonesian candidates at UNE.

As a result of the ongoing engagement, a high-level delegation from Mataram University visited UNE on in late July.

The visitors included Professor Sunarpi (Rector); Professor Sri Widiyastuti (Dean of Faculty of Food Technology and Agroindustry); Dr Sukartono (Dean of Faculty of Agriculture); and Dr Bambang Hari Kusumo (Vice Director of Postgraduate Studies).

The visitors undertook a tour of UNE’s agricultural research and teaching facilities.

A renewal of a MoU with UNE was signed to underpin growing cooperation between the two universities.

The visitors met with academics from our Business and Environmental, Rural Science and Arts Schools, with discussions focusing on current and anticipated areas of cooperation, including agricultural data collection, research in beef, horticulture, soil carbon and nutrients, and language studies, as well as academic exchange, and higher degree research candidate identification and co-supervision.

Dr Philip Thomas and Michael Coleman will be visiting Indonesia towards the end of August to follow up on existing and developing collaborative opportunities with Mataram and our other partner Indonesian universities, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and Bogor Agricultural University (IPB).

The pair will be working closely with UNE Adjuncts and key contacts at these universities, specifically focusing on developing collaborative research and teaching opportunities within an active and ongoing cultural exchange.

Main image:

Front: Prof Sunarpi (Rector, UNRAM); Prof Annabelle Duncan (Vice-Chancellor, UNE).

Back: Prof Alison Sheridan (UNE); Prof Sri Widiyastuti (UNRAM); Dr Sukartono (UNRAM); Prof Heiko Daniel (UNE); Dr Bambang Hari Kusumo (UNRAM); Dr Zifirdaus Adnan (UNE); Dr Philip Thomas (UNE); Prof Caroline Gross (UNE).