Guest Lecture in Joint Supervision Program: Implementation of Industry 4.0 in Malaysia's Agricultural Sector by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazmi Mat Nawi (UPM)

Yogyakarta, October 29, 2024 – The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB) of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM), in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), organized a guest lecture with the theme "Implementation of IR4.0 in the Agricultural Sector in Malaysia: The Role of Agricultural Engineers." This event was part of the 2024 Joint Supervision and Research Program funded by the UGM Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations, and was attended by undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students from the Agricultural Engineering program at FTP UGM.

Opening remarks and remarks by Prof. Dr. Lilik Sutiarso, M.Eng.

The guest lecture speaker was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazmi Mat Nawi, Head of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Dr. Nazmi is an expert in the field of agricultural engineering with research focus on agricultural mechanization and non-destructive plant sensing technology. He presented the developments and challenges of implementing Industry 4.0 technology in Malaysia's agricultural sector, as well as the important role of agricultural engineers in driving modernization and innovation in this field.

Material presentation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazmi Mat Nawi

The guest lecture was moderated by Ir. Andri Prima Nugroho, Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN Eng., from the Smart Agriculture Research Center DTPB FTP UGM. The event opened with remarks from Prof. Lilik Sutiarso, as Head of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering FTP UGM, who emphasized the importance of international collaboration and the application of modern technology in addressing future agricultural challenges.

The enthusiasm of participants was evident from the many questions raised during the question and answer session. The interactive discussion between Dr. Nazmi and participants provided valuable insights into current developments and opportunities in technology-based agriculture. This engagement highlighted the importance of agricultural productivity and the need for innovative solutions to improve efficiency in this sector.

In addition to the guest lecture, the 2024 Joint Supervision and Research Program also includes other activities such as faculty and student exchange, formulation of research cooperation proposals, and international publications. This program is expected to strengthen cooperation between UGM and UPM, as well as enhance the quality of research and education at both institutions.

Question and answer session with students

The integration of Industry 4.0 technology in agriculture is crucial for increasing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable practices. Dr. Nazmi's insights on the role of agricultural engineers in this transformation are highly relevant, as they are at the forefront of implementing innovative solutions that can revolutionize agricultural practices.

As the agricultural sector faces increasingly mounting challenges due to climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity, the adoption of advanced technology becomes essential. The collaboration between UGM and UPM aims to address these challenges by promoting research and development in agricultural engineering and technology.

The event concluded with a call to action for students and researchers to actively engage in ongoing discussions regarding agricultural innovation. By adopting Industry 4.0 principles, the next generation of agricultural engineers can make significant contributions to the advancement of this sector, ensuring its resilience and sustainability in the future.