The Faculty of Agriculture, Riau University (FP UNRI) received an official visit from students of the Plant Protection Study Program, Andalas University (UNAND) on Tuesday (September 30). This activity is part of the Implementation Agreement (IA) between the two study programs, which includes public lectures and academic collaboration.
The event took place in the Integrated Classroom Building, Kuantan room, from 08.00 to 12.30 WIB. This activity was attended by the Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of FP UNRI, Dr. Besri Nasrul, SP., M.Si., Deputy Dean for Student Affairs, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Amrul Khoiri, SP., M.Si., Head of the Plant Protection Study Program of FP UNRI, Dr. Hafiz Fauzana, SP., MP., and Head of the Plant Protection Study Program of UNAND, Dr. Ir. Eka Candra Lina, S.P., M.Si., IPM.
The public lecture featured Dr. Ir. Fifi Puspita, MP, as a resource person, with a presentation entitled "Biological Control of Important Diseases in Oil Palm Plants." The event was moderated by Prof. Dr. Rusli Rustam, SP., M.Si.
In his remarks, Dr. Besri Nasrul expressed his appreciation for the visit and collaboration between the two study programs.
"We are very pleased with the visit from the Plant Protection Study Program at Andalas University. Collaborative activities like this public lecture are very positive for improving the performance and academic relationships between the two study programs," he said.
In her presentation, Dr. Fifi Puspita highlighted various important diseases in oil palm plants, especially in the nursery and production phases. Some of the pathogens discussed included Curvularia sp., which causes leaf spots, Colletotrichum sp., which causes anthracnose, and Ganoderma boninense, which causes basal stem rot. Biological control was carried out through the application of pellet biofungicides and biotrichoms containing the active ingredient Trichoderma sp., as well as Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR).
In addition to the public lecture, this event also served as an opportunity to strengthen institutional ties between the two universities. In his remarks, the Secretary of the Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, UNAND, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from the UNRI Faculty of Agriculture and expressed his hope that this collaboration would continue.
"We hope this activity will be the start of a sustainable academic relationship between the two study programs," he said.
Through this activity, FP UNRI affirmed its commitment to continue supporting academic collaboration that can improve performance achievements, especially the Key Performance Indicator (IKU) 6 of the University of Riau, namely increasing collaborative activities with national and international partners.(E.Ryan)