Universitas Gadjah Mada proudly announces that Rizku Laily Shiami and Asih Widyaningrum, students of the Master of Phytopathology Program, have been selected to participate in the Sakura Science Program 2025, hosted by Ibaraki University, Japan, from 4 to 15 November 2025. Their selection represents a significant academic achievement and reflects UGM’s continued commitment to strengthening international collaboration in agricultural and plant protection sciences.
The Sakura Science Program is a prestigious international exchange initiative designed to promote scientific cooperation and capacity building among young researchers. This year’s program is conducted under the theme “New Approaches to Disease Control in Tropical Crops,” bringing together emerging scientists from Indonesia and Japan to explore innovative strategies for managing plant diseases in tropical and subtropical agroecosystems.
Over the course of the 12-day intensive program, participants will engage in a comprehensive series of academic and practical activities, including expert-led lectures, hands-on laboratory training, field-based learning, institutional visits, and cultural exchange experiences. Academic sessions will cover topics such as Japanese agricultural systems, environmentally friendly crop protection, and mechanisms of plant acquired resistance. Participants will also undertake a structured sequence of laboratory experiments focused on induced disease resistance, including pathogen inoculation tests, assessment of disease severity, RNA extraction, reverse transcription, quantitative PCR analysis, and scientific data interpretation and reporting.
In addition to academic training, the program includes visits to leading research and industrial institutions, such as Maruwa Biochemical Co., Ltd. and the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences in Tsukuba. These visits provide participants with valuable insights into applied research, technological innovation, and industry–academia collaboration in plant protection. Cultural and scientific excursions, including visits to Miraikan (The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation), kimono workshops, university campus festivals, and local field tours, further enrich the learning experience by fostering cross-cultural understanding and global perspectives.
Throughout the program, participants will be guided and mentored by distinguished experts, including Prof. Sato, Prof. Narisawa, and Dr. Tanabata, enabling meaningful academic exchange and collaboration within an international research environment. At the conclusion of the program, Rizku Laily Shiami and Asih Widyaningrum will present their research findings as part of the closing session, demonstrating the knowledge and skills gained during the program.
Universitas Gadjah Mada hopes that this immersive academic experience will significantly enhance the participants’ expertise in plant disease management, broaden their research perspectives, and contribute to the development of sustainable plant protection strategies. The program is also expected to strengthen long-term collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Ibaraki University, while empowering young researchers to contribute to global scientific advancement.
Author: Anisa Putri