USK Signed MoU On Rising Star Agri-Food Innovation Challenge

Published by Administrator on January 27, 2021

The chairman of IMT-GT (Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand- Growth Triangle) UNINET (University Network) and the rector of Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Prof. Dr. Samsul Rizal M.Eng, IPU, signed a Memorandum of Understanding among IMT-GT UNINET, Green Growth Asia Foundation (GGAF) and Thought for Food Foundation (TFF), last 25th of January 2021 virtually.

“As the Chairman of UNINET, I am enormously pleased and proud that UNINET, Green Growth Asia Foundation and Thought For Food Foundation are able to join forces to present this tri-nation initiative for our organization supported by the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). I believe that this is the first challenge of its kind by our organization that covers all three countries and are non-profit – Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand- engaging the next generation and connecting the students across three neighboring countries. UNINET appreciates more the opportunity and are united to take the lead with the Green Growth Asia Foundation, in driving towards science-and-technology-based and entrepreneurial innovations”, he stated.

Dr. Mahadi Mohamad, Excutive Director of GGAF, also stated “The Rising Star Agri-Food Innovation Challenge is the culmination of the aspiration of several parties with a shared mission and purpose agreeing to come together to create a platform in promoting technologically-driven innovation, harnessing the tremendous potential and talent of the next generations. I am extremely honored and feel privileged that the GGAF is able to join forces with esteemed and well-regarded global and regional organizations such as TFF and UNINET which are the strategic components of the IMT-GT that demonstrates our commitment. I wish to thank UNINET for agreeing to take lead in this initiative and to TFF for providing their innovative proprietary engine, and the TFF Digital Labs, to fuel and ignite the challenge from end-to-end”.

The MOU signing focusses on the collaboration of innovation for communities including agriculture, food, and technology sectors, as well as to promote the Rising Star Agri-Food Innovation Challenge.

The Rising Star Innovation Challenge is served as the first tremendous challenge organized executively by IMT-GT UNINET, GGAF, and TFF, it aims to uncover innovative solutions in response to the local and regional challenges faced across the agri-food sector, by identifying, accelerating, and scaling-up youth-led innovative business models and digital solutions to unlock the potential of agri-food systems. The call is open to all local undergraduate and graduate students across all academic disciplines.

“We are so thrilled to be an enabling partner for the Rising Star Agrifood Innovation Challenge, which is going to help drive breakthrough solutions for some of the most essential challenges faced in our agriculture sector. This is a sector that is right for reinvention. We’ve got to be thinking about how and where we grow our food. Find ways empowering small holder farmers, ensuring sustainable and transparent supply chains, and addressing consumer demands for higher quality, safer, and more nutritious food. This challenge is a call to action for young people to unleash their creativity and an outstanding idea so that we can find solutions for all of these problems that we are facing”, Christine Gould, Founder and CEO of Thought For Food Foundation, closed.

This MoU signing and challenging event is part of IMT-GT UNINET activities, and was handled by the Office of International Affairs of Universitas Syiah Kuala, Dr. Muzailin Affan, the chairman of the office who expressed his support and pleasure toward this program. He wished the university students especially from Universitas Syiah Kuala will be able take partly and think creatively, to expand their horizon and way of thinking.