Medan, August 8, 2026 – The Animal Science Study Program of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with the Faculty of Animal Science at IPB University and the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), successfully conducted the Summer Course 2026 from July 28 to August 7, 2026. The program carried the theme “New Horizons in Interdisciplinary Tropical Animal Production through Smart Precision Farming for Sustainability, Climate Resilience, and Global Partnership.”
The Summer Course 2026 was designed as an international learning program integrating tropical animal science, smart precision farming technology, sustainability, climate resilience, and global partnerships. The program was delivered in a hybrid format, consisting of Hybrid Lectures from July 28 to August 1, 2026, followed by a Field Excursion in Malaysia from August 3 to 7, 2026.
A total of 20 delegates from the Faculty of Agriculture USU, comprising lecturers and students from the Animal Science Study Program, participated in the program. Participants had the opportunity to learn alongside international academics and practitioners while gaining first-hand exposure to the application of technology and livestock management practices in the field.
The Faculty of Agriculture USU delegation included Dean Dr. Rulianda Purnomo Wibowo, S.P., M.Ec.; Vice Dean III Dr. Ir. Posma Mangasi Pintaria Marbun, M.P.; and Head of the Animal Science Study Program Ir. Achmad Sadeli, S.Pt., M.Sc., IPM., ASEAN.Eng. The Faculty of Animal Science at IPB University was represented by Vice Dean II Prof. Dr. Asep Gunawan, S.Pt., M.Sc., while UPM was represented by Prof. Anjas Asmara bin Samsudin, Director of the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS).
The program also received support from Aliyah Rizq, CEO Dato Seri Ashraf Bakar, who attended as a sponsor of the Summer Course 2026. This support contributed to strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and the business sector in developing student competencies and fostering innovation in animal science.
During the Hybrid Lectures, participants engaged in learning sessions with international experts in tropical livestock, precision technology, and sustainability. The lecture series was equivalent to 142.5 learning hours or three academic credits (SKS).
The program continued with a Field Excursion in Malaysia, during which participants visited several institutions and livestock development sites, including Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the Poultry Technology Institute in Malacca, and Aliyah Rizq Farm in Johor Bahru. These visits provided participants with first-hand experience in understanding the application of technology, livestock management, and the relationship between the livestock sector and the agribusiness industry. The field excursion was equivalent to 35 learning hours.
Beyond lectures and field visits, the Summer Course 2026 also provided students with an opportunity to develop their academic and innovation skills through the International Student Conference and Innovation Competition (ISCIC). The event allows participants to present innovative ideas before an international panel while strengthening critical thinking through collaboration with students from different countries. ISCIC is scheduled to take place on August 10–11, 2026, in Bogor and is equivalent to 14 learning hours.
Through the program, participants gained not only knowledge from international experts but also valuable academic and cultural experiences in a global environment. Interaction with students and academics from various institutions is expected to broaden participants’ perspectives, strengthen international networks, and encourage the development of innovative solutions to address challenges facing tropical livestock production amid climate change.
The Summer Course 2026 also reinforces the Faculty of Agriculture USU’s commitment to developing internationally oriented and sustainable higher education. Collaboration with IPB University and UPM Malaysia represents a strategic step toward expanding academic networks, enhancing the capacity of students and lecturers, and promoting the application of technology and innovation to support sustainable and climate-resilient livestock development.
The implementation of the Summer Course 2026 also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through international learning that connects students and lecturers with academics and practitioners from different countries while providing both academic and field-based experiences; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through exposure to smart precision farming and precision technologies that support efficiency and innovation in the livestock sector; SDG 13 (Climate Action) through learning on climate resilience and the development of adaptive and sustainable livestock systems in response to climate change; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration among the Faculty of Agriculture USU, the Faculty of Animal Science at IPB University, UPM Malaysia, and business partner Aliyah Rizq, strengthening academic networks, knowledge exchange, and international cooperation in education, technology, and sustainable livestock development.