YOGYAKARTA-UGM affirmed its commitment to the development of biofuels. Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, for example, has managed to turn household waste into energy and conduct research on Nyamplung plants as a source of biofuel energy in collaboration with researchers from Faculty of Biology. Additionally, Center for Energy Studies UGM has been developing programs to provide alternative energy such as solar energy.
"Faculty of Forestry and Faculty of Cultural Sciences have jointly developed several programs to address issues related to food sources producing biofuels on a large scale," Vice Rector for Research and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Suratman, M.Sc. said in Workshop on Agriculture Beyond Food (ABF), 'Informing and Inspiring each Other' at UC UGM on Sunday (7/10).
UGM also opens room for students to study nationalism and be responsible for the future of energy, quality of life and environment. Through sustainable education it is expected that Indonesia would be independent in the field of economy and energy.
"Our education is designed to be independent and to care about the socio-cultural and environmental issues," he added.
Meanwhile, Cora Govers, the representative of Netherlands Organisation for Scientific research (NOW)-WOTRO Science for Global Development, emphasized the importance of the discussion on biofuels, the opportunities and challenges in the future. The development of biofuels is interesting to study, especially if associated with the development of agriculture.
"Seeing the phenomenon of biofuel and the competition with other energy in the world, it is necessary to discuss the possibilities, opportunities, threats and constraints that exist for the future," Cora said.
Committee chairman of the workshop, Oka Karyanto, S.P.M.Sc., explained that the workshop from October 7 to 9 is a project of cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands in the development of biofuels. Biofuels become a topic of discussion for a considerably potential alternative energy. The teaching staff of Faculty of Forestry hoped the government can see the opportunity of biofuels as an alternative energy that can benefit the nation.
"Biofuel is looking for a form especially if it is associated with the failure of Jatropha," Oka said.