Four students from the Faculty of Animal Science UGM will participate in leather tanning training in Europe from July 14 to August 27.
These four students are Aura Zahwa Syaira (S2), Imani Fathi Sakinah (S1), Muhammad Azfa Ramadhan (S1), and Muhammad Maulana Bima Sakti (S1).
Through the Erasmus+ CBHE program, titled Enhancing Sustainable and Green Leather Technology in Indonesia, these students will have the opportunity to participate in 1.5 months of training.
The training will take place in Izmir (Turkey), Athens (Greece), and Pisa (Italy). In each country, students will undergo 2 weeks of training.
“During the internship, students will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience related to environmentally friendly leather tanning processes and the circular economy in the leather industry,” said UGM Animal Science Lecturer Dr. Mohammad Zainal Abidin on Monday (Jun. 16).
Dr. Abidin explained that this internship program is the first of its kind.
Besides UGM’s Faculty of Animal Science, the internship participants include four students, each from partner universities of the ELEGTEC cooperation project.
These are Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) in Makassar and Universitas Mataram (UNRAM) in Mataram.
“Next year’s scheme will switch to partners from Europe visiting Indonesia,” Dr. Abidin added.
He mentioned that the program is funded by Erasmus+ CBHE (European Union) and managed by the UGM Faculty of Animal Science.
This project aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of academics, practitioners, and industry players. This supports the sustainability of the leather industry in Indonesia.
Dr. Abidin listed several Indonesian parties involved in this project. These include UNHAS, UNRAM, and the Center for Standardization and Industrial Services for Leather, Rubber, and Plastics (BBSPJIKKP).
Other parties are the Leather, Rubber, and Plastic Center, and the Indonesian Tanners Association (APKI).
Meanwhile, Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources, Andriyani Astuti, welcomed this cooperation program.
She hopes students can absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible during their study visit to Europe.
“Don’t forget to always uphold the good name of UGM and the country,” Astuti advised.
Reporter: Animal Science UGM/Satria
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya