Held under the theme “Sustainable Agriculture and Beyond,” the summit brought together university leaders, academics, and agricultural experts to discuss the future of sustainable agriculture and explore opportunities for international collaboration.
According to the unique institutional listings in the summit handbook, the event involved representatives from 21 universities across 11 countries and territories, alongside two international organizations: SEARCA and the World Vegetable Center. Including NTU as the host institution, the participant list featured 23 institutions.
The countries and territories represented were Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, the United States, Australia, France, and the Czech Republic.
Participating institutions included the University of California, Riverside; the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Pennsylvania State University; the University of Melbourne; Kyoto University; Tohoku University; Seoul National University; the University of Bordeaux; and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.
UB Faculty Contributes to Discussions on Agricultural Innovation and Technology
Universitas Brawijaya was represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Endrika Widyastuti, S.Pt., M.Sc., MP., Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at UB’s Faculty of Agro-Industrial Technology and Biosystems (FTAB). The summit handbook lists her position as Vice Dean of Academic Affairs and International Collaboration.
The UB delegation participated in the “Innovation and Technology” breakout roundtable, which covered biotechnology and smart agriculture. The session brought together academics from universities around the world, including Oregon State University, the University of Bordeaux, Tohoku University, Nagoya University, Pennsylvania State University, Seoul National University, and the University of California, Riverside.
Discussions on biotechnology and smart agriculture aligned with FTAB UB’s research priorities, particularly in agro-industrial technology, biosystems, and food innovation aimed at delivering benefits to society.
Through its participation, UB contributed to an international academic forum addressing how scientific research and technological advances can support more sustainable and innovative agricultural practices.
UB Signs International Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture
One of the key moments of the summit took place on October 22, 2026, during the “Declaration Signing & Wrap-up” session. Representing Universitas Brawijaya, Endrika Widyastuti joined other delegates in signing the declaration.
The participation marked UB’s involvement in a collective commitment within an international agricultural forum, extending its role beyond academic discussions.
The declaration session followed presentations and a synthesis of discussions covering six key areas: Net-Zero Carbon Emissions, Plant Health, Biotechnology, Smart Agriculture, Animal Health, and Sustainable Agriculture.
However, the declaration’s official name and full text were not included in the summit handbook. Therefore, the signing should not be interpreted as the establishment of a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Expanding Academic Connections with Europe and Japan
The summit also provided opportunities for academic engagement with university leaders and researchers from various countries.
Among those involved in the forum were Prof. Valérie Schurdi-Levraud of the University of Bordeaux, France; Dr. Veronika Legarová, Vice Dean for International Relations at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague; and Prof. Koki Homma, Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Agricultural Science at Tohoku University, Japan.
These connections could open avenues for future research collaboration, faculty and student mobility, academic supervision, and international publications.
Nevertheless, initial contacts and exchanges of business cards do not in themselves constitute formal research partnerships or institutional agreements.
Learning from Taiwan’s Food Industry and Biotechnology Sector
The summit program continued on October 23, 2026, with scheduled field visits to I-Mei Foods Co., Ltd. and the I-MEI Biotechnology & Macrobiotics Center in Taoyuan.
The visits connected academic discussions with practical applications in food processing and biotechnology development, offering participants an opportunity to learn about industry practices and innovation.
For FTAB UB, exposure to the food and biotechnology sectors could provide valuable insights into strengthening applied research, industry-based education, and the commercialization of innovations that respond to societal needs.
Bridging academic research with industrial applications is particularly relevant to efforts to develop agricultural technologies that are both commercially viable and beneficial to the wider community.
Advancing Internationalization with Real-World Impact
UB’s participation in the Taiwan summit, including its involvement in the declaration signing, reflects the university’s commitment to contributing to global discussions on food security, agricultural innovation, and environmental sustainability.
The engagement also aligns with FTAB UB’s vision of becoming a pioneering and innovative faculty with an international reputation in sustainable agricultural technology, particularly in supporting agro-based industries and improving community welfare.
By participating in international academic forums, engaging with researchers from leading universities, and learning from industry practices, UB continues to explore opportunities to strengthen its global academic presence while advancing agricultural innovation with practical benefits for society.
