Visiting Professor, Department of Plant Protection IPB University Invites CSIRO-Australia Researcher

The Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta) IPB University held a Visiting Professor activity as part of the 2024 Inter-University Center of Excellence (PUAPT) grant program. 

The resource person for this activity was Dr Mohamed Zakeel Mohamed Cassim, one of the researchers from The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia with his research focus on integrated control for plant diseases.

The chief organizer, Prof Sri Hendrastuti Hidayat, explained that this visiting professor program is an opportunity to initiate collaboration of plant protection experts. In addition, students also have the opportunity to learn and interact directly with international researchers.

“This collaboration is important in order to prepare for better food security through the development of plant pest and disease control strategies,” she said. 

During his stay in Bogor, Dr Zakeel actively participated in various activities. He became one of the keynote speakers at the 3rd SEAPPRO Conference which took place at the IPB International Convention Center (1-2/11) with his presentation entitled “A multifaceted approach to tackling complex challenges in crop protection”. 

Dr Zakeel’s activities continued at IPB Dramaga Campus (4-5/11). He filled the Guest Lecture session at the Department of Plant Protection with the topic “Mastering Scientific Writing: Crafting Research Papers and Securing Research Grants” and ”Plant disease epidemiology: Case studies on tracking and managing pathogen spread across landscapes”.

The guest lecture activity was attended offline by IPB University Postgraduate students, especially from the Integrated Pest Management Study Program, Phytopathology Study Program, and Entomology Study Program as well as online by students from other universities. 

Dr Zakeel emphasized the importance of scientific publications and explained strategies for writing good scientific articles. Students also had the opportunity to discuss the topic of plant disease epidemiology which is needed to develop appropriate plant disease control strategies.

On the same occasion, Dr Zakeel also visited various research laboratories and insect museums at the Department of Plant Protection of IPB University. “I hope that this visit to Indonesia can initiate cooperation between CSIRO and the Department of Plant Protection of IPB University”, he added. (*/Rz) (IAAS/SNI)