BOGOR – The Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology (ANFT), Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, successfully organized the 10th International Summer Course 2026. This international learning program brought together students, academics, and practitioners from various countries to discuss the development of dairy farming in tropical regions. It was held from July 20 to August 10, 2026, through online, offline, and hybrid learning modules, including an excursion.
The guest lecture series speakers were from both national and international institutions, covering topics related to dairy cattle nutrition and development in tropical climates. The curriculum included dairy cattle nutrition, rumen and digestive tract microbial ecology, feed processing technology, precision feeding, smart farming, cooperative systems, ration formulation, forage management, and total mixed ration (TMR). Participants also gained hands-on practical experience on feed formulation using Excel Solver and the Rumen8 application. Each session was complemented by assignments submitted via IPB University’s learning management system to reinforce participants’ understanding of the material.
A hybrid session held on August 3, 2026, in the Seminar Room and via Zoom Meeting lectures conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mashitah from Universiti Putra Malaysia and Dr. Nurhafizah Mohammed from the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). About 50 students from the ANFT Department attended and interacted directly with international participants and speakers. The event continued with a screening of the movie World Without Cows, presented by Rizal Fachrudin from Alltech.
The learning experience was further enriched through an excursion to various locations and institutions. Participants went on a Campus Tour, visited the Bogor Botanical Gardens, PT Global Dairi Alami, KPSBU Lembang, Farmhouse Susu Lembang, and PT Sapi Liar Indonesia. Participants also received lectures on Tropical Forage Management and Agroecosystem Integration. These visits allowed participants to observe the implementation of dairy cattle farming under diverse conditions, including differences between modern and traditional farm management. The last guest lecture series included a hybrid presentation on Livestock in the Philippines delivered by Jason O. Gica, M.Sc. Twenty-eight HIMASITER members also joined the lecture and discussion.
“I am really happy to be able to join this summer course program again, meet new friends, and gain experience on the dairy farm, both traditional and modern systems,” said Nor Safrina, one participant from Universiti Putra Malaysia. She joined this program for the second time, two years ago, she also participated in the ANFT summer course program.
In the final program, participants completed an assignment in which they wrote a scientific article on dairy cattle-related topics. The papers were then submitted to a competition featuring categories for Best Paper and Best Oral Presentation. The 10th International Summer Course 2026 officially concluded on August 12, 2026, with the announcement of competition winners, awards for top participants, and a farewell party celebrating the active involvement of all participants throughout the program.
