MALANG, Indonesia – Universitas Brawijaya (UB) will host the 10th University Consortium (UC) Graduate Forum on 2–3 June 2025 with the theme "Innovative Agriculture and Green Technologies for a Resilient Future." The forum will highlight research and innovation addressing some of the region's most pressing agricultural and environmental challenges.
Organized in collaboration with the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) and coordinated by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) as the UC Secretariat, the event will bring together 25 graduate students from 12 UC member universities to present interdisciplinary solutions that respond to the realities of a rapidly changing climate.
Dr. Mercedita A. Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director and Head of the UC Secretariat, will join the forum to deliver the opening and keynote addresses, reaffirming SEARCA's longstanding commitment to regional cooperation and innovation in sustainable agriculture.
The forum will feature presentations under four key sub-themes: (1) Digitalization and AI for Smart Agroindustry, (2) Circular Economy and Sustainable Resource Management, (3) Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Food Security, and (4) Future Food and Functional Ingredients.
From AI-based weed detection and precision agriculture tools to sustainable aquaculture, biofortified crops, and eco-friendly food innovations, the forum will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and policy-relevant discussions. Participants will also engage in field research activities at the Kayutangan Heritage site and the Atsiri Laboratory that offer insights into local sustainability and heritage conservation efforts.
As a hub of academic excellence, Universitas Brawijaya offers an ideal setting for this regional dialogue, given its strong commitment to sustainable development and innovation. The 10th UC Graduate Forum builds on a decade-long tradition of promoting research-driven partnerships and strengthening the capacity of Southeast Asia's future leaders in agriculture and natural resources.
For more information about the UC's annual events, visit: https://uc.searca.org/activities
