Diponegoro University held an academic ceremony awarding the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Animal Science to Dipl.-Ing. Bambang Sutantio, founder and President Commissioner of Cimory Group, Saturday (23/9) at the Prof. Soedarto, S.H., Building, Undip Tembalang.
In his remarks, the Rector of Diponegoro University, Prof. Dr. Yos Johan Utama, S.H., M.Hum. conveying Undip’s award to Bambang Sutantio as Doctor Honoris Causa is, of course, based on fit and proper tests both from an academic and non-academic perspective which are very strict considering that Undip has a great history of dignified academics in the national and international arena.
From an academic perspective, Bambang Sutantio has proven that in his capacity and as a leader of PT Cimory, he has adopted the company policy he leads to strengthen the availability of national food, especially milk, by implementing a partnership system that not only helps traditional breeders but also strives to develop new, environmentally friendly technology, and more profitable for farmers.
“Becoming a doctor honoris causa is not just a scientific achievement, but it also includes mental maturity and integrity, both as a practicing scientist and as a human being. “A practitioner with the highest academic degree is appropriate to have and cultivate a spirit of caring for humanity, courage in upholding the truth based on honesty and integrity,” said Prof. Yos.
In his scientific speech entitled Medium Scale Dairy Farming Development Model in Efforts to Improve Farmers’ Welfare Towards Domestic Fresh Milk Independence, Bambang Sutantio said that smallholder farmers mainly operate the Indonesian dairy industry. Therefore, there are still problems that originate from the relatively small scale of livestock businesses. This small-scale livestock business is traced to being the root of the problem. People’s livestock businesses are carried out conventionally, adopting outdated technology, low production and quality, low selling prices, and low income so that it is not attractive and only becomes a side business.
“One solution to overcome the root of the problem is a medium-scale dairy farming business pioneered by PT Cisarua Mountain Dairy (Cimory). In the production process, PT Cimory has developed a CSV model to empower farming communities or dairy farmers in an integrated manner. “The value chain that is shared with the community is medium-scale production activities to ensure the profitability and sustainability of dairy farming,” he said.
“The company provides guidance related to technology, management and guarantees to accommodate all production at competitive prices. “This condition has resulted in a lasting partnership pattern because of the concept of mutual benefit for both parties,” continued Bambang.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Ir. Bambang Waluyo Hadi Eko Prasetiyono, M.S., M.Agr., IPU, said that Dipl.-Ing. Bambang Sutantio deserves to receive the title Doctor Honoris Causa (H.C) or Honorary Degree because of his outstanding contribution to supporting food security in Indonesia. Furthermore, Prof. Bambang WHEP, familiarly known as, said, “The potential for Indonesia’s local food wealth is truly enormous, considering Indonesia’s position as an agricultural country. Even though there are a lot of food products produced, technological innovation in local food products is still quite low. This results in the resulting product not being able to attract the interest of food consumers in Indonesia. Therefore, technological innovation in local food products absolutely must be carried out,”
“The food processing innovations produced by Cimory really help consumers’ interest in consuming local products,” he said.
Prof. Bambang WHEP also added that the awarding of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa (H.C) to Bambang Sutantio was based on Decree number 316/UN7.A/HK/IX/2023 dated September 19, 2023 which was proposed by the Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences (FPP) taking into account the contribution given, thus fulfilling the requirements to be worthy of obtaining an Honoris Causa (H.C) degree.
With the awarding of this honorary title, it is hoped that the contribution made in the field of Animal Science will be even more remarkable to support food security in Indonesia. (Ut/LW-PR)
