IPB students, from Germany to Japan for Indonesia
"The spirit to reach our sakura country (Japan) that we have I our mind is the manifestation of our love for our homeland Indonesia.” That is the expression from the student delegates of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) to the Annual Meeting of Science and Technology Studies (AMSTECS) 2011.
IPB Students who have successfully passed the selection to participate in the International Paper Presentation in the conference on the theme "Indonesian AMSTECS and Tokyo Tech Innovation Days 2011" are in 20 teams. Two teams, the first of which consists of Dini Gustiningsih and Desty Dwi Sulistyowati as the members and the second consists Dyah Raysa Laksitoresmi and Murdiati Suedarno Soewarno as the members, were earlier to compete in the country of Brundenburger Tor, Germany, in a similar event last October in 2010.
AMSTECS to be held on December 19 to 20 March 2011 in Tokyo Institute of Technology is an annual event initiated by the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) of Japan in cooperation with various institutions within and outside the country, particularly the Ministry of Research and Technology Indonesia. This conference aims to bridge the concrete transfer of knowledge from the Indonesian intellectuals residing abroad. This activity provides many positive opportunities for talented Indonesian youth to continue to contribute to the development of science and technology. The discussion in this conference is divided into six areas: Agriculture and Food Security Life Science, Health and Medicine Technology, New and Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Technology, Technology and Management of Transportation, Information and Communication Technology, Advanced Materials Science.
One of IPB delegation representatives for the field of new energy and renewable energy technologies and energy saving technology, which consists of Dini Gustiningsih and Desty Dwi Sulistyowati presented the paper entitled " Hazelnut Sunan, (Reutalis trisperma), as an Eco-Friendly Environment and Alternative Biofuel Plant. "This paper raises the extraordinary potential contained in sunan hazelnuts for an alternative biodiesel. "When compared with Jatroba , sunan hazelnut productivity can reach 3 folds or approximately 10 tons per hectare, this is because sunan hazelnut trees have many branches and twigs, so the potential resulted fruits on every branch and twig are greater in addition to the tree’s shady canopy and deep roots that can also function as erosion control," said Dini. In addition, the individual paper by Dini Gustiningsih entitled "Tempe-based Saga (Adenantera pavonina) and Sword Koro (Canavalia ensiformis) as an Alternative Food Solution from Soybean Tempe" also passed the selection of papers in the field of agriculture and food security, so it has the opportunity to be presented at AMSTECS 2011. Tempe made from saga and sword koro has the potential to substitute soy-based tempe. This food diversification is expected to improve Indonesian food security can be an alternative solution against Indonesia’s soybean imports, which in 2008 reached 5.95 trillion rupiah.
In as similar event, the second team consisting Murdiati and Dyah Raysa Laksitoresmi also took part in the activities of RENEWS 2010. Dyah was awarded the best presenter in the category of undergraduate papers, with the title "Bioethanol Made from Seaweed with Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) Thickening Agent as Alternative Household Cooking Fuel." In this 2011 AMSTECS Murdiati and Dyah will bring the paper with the title "Bio-ethanol Gel from Seaweed Industrial Waste with Acrylic Acid Thickening Agent as Alternative Household Cooking Fuel." This paper raises a similar theme to that competed in Germany some time ago, namely the optimization of industrial waste of seaweed as the material in the manufacture of bioethanol gel. The method is improved by replacing the thickening agents with acrylic acid which has better effectiveness and efficiency than any other thickening agents. This bioethanol gel made from the industrial waste of seaweed can be used as safe and cheap household fuel in the future.
From the RENEWS 2010 conference to the 2011 AMSTECS conference, IPB team received a full support of IPB and the Ministry of National Education through the excellence scholarship programs of the Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of National Education. The scholarship program has the vision to generate the best individual of the nation that has a comprehensive understanding of nationality, high integrity and credibility, excellent personality, moderate and caring attitude about the life of the nation and state. The presence of this scholarship program opens opportunities for the sons and daughters of Indonesia to continue to excel and realize their contribution to Indonesia.
"We are very pleased to be able to meet, exchange experiences and knowledge with other young people from various institutions in different countries through the events like the Annual Indonesian Scholars Conference. What unites us is the hope and pride of Indonesia. We hope that after this conference there is a snowball effect starting from ideas concrete collaborations with various institutions at home and abroad." Dyah said.(mtd)
(Desty Dwi S, Mahasiswa Faperta IPB)
