UQ plant expert to take part in Indonesian professor program

The University of Queensland’s Professor André Drenth will be one of the first scientists to participate in a new Indonesian Government program that aims to strengthen Indonesia’s global research collaborations and boost food security.

As part of the World Class Professor program, Professor Drenth from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) will visit Indonesia’s oldest University, the Universitas Gadjah Mada, in Yogyakarta in October.

“The program will help build meaningful collaboration with Indonesia on tropical plant diseases which are causing significant problems in both countries,” he said.

“Initially the research will focus on diseases of bananas, as they are an important fruit crop in Indonesia and Australia, which is under threat from the recent spread of diseases such as fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 and blood disease of banana.”

Launched in 2017, the World Class Professor Program aims to strengthen opportunities for Indonesian universities and scholars to interact with renowned and distinguished professors.

These collaborations enhance Indonesian academic life and boost the competence, quality and development of the country’s technology and innovation.

To be awarded a place within the program, professors must be nominated by an Indonesian top-university and meet stringent quality criteria including holding a foreign academic position in a QS top 100 University, a record of global mentoring, an international profile and an excellent record of publication as well as a demonstrated record of obtaining research grants from national and International funding organizations.   

Media: QAAFI Communications, Margaret Puls, m.puls@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 0553: Professor André Drenth, a.drenth@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3443 2460.