The Master’s Program in Food Science and Technology (MFST), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM), continues to expand its global academic and research network through various international activities. From May 4-8, 2026, Dr. Widiastuti Setyaningsih and Dr. Fiametta Ayu Purwandari conducted a mobility program at Universidad de Cádiz (UCA), Spain, supported by Erasmus+ funding. This activity was part of the continuous effort to strengthen the internationalization of higher education while reinforcing the long-standing academic and research collaboration between UGM and UCA.
During the mobility program, the delegation from FTP UGM participated in several academic activities, including collaborative research discussions, laboratory visits, and benchmarking of international internship programs within the European Master in Quality in Analytical Laboratories (EMQAL). The program also supported the academic supervision of MFST students participating in international activities at UCA. Discussions with UCA partners focused on opportunities to strengthen collaboration in food analytical chemistry, functional food development, rapid and sustainable analytical methods, and high-impact international publications.
As part of the academic program, Dr. Widiastuti Setyaningsih delivered a scientific presentation entitled “Edible Flowers as Innovative Ingredients for Future Functional Food Products.” The presentation highlighted the potential of edible flowers as sources of bioactive compounds for future functional food development. This topic aligns with current global trends in sustainable food innovation and the utilization of biodiversity to support public health and environmentally friendly food industries.
This mobility activity is also closely related to the implementation of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The strengthening of international education, knowledge exchange, and benchmarking of international internship systems contributes to SDG 4 on Quality Education. Meanwhile, the development of innovative research in functional food and modern analytical methods supports SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Furthermore, the continued strategic collaboration between UGM and UCA reflects the implementation of SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through international cooperation in education, research, and human resource development.
Through this activity, the MFST Program at UGM aims to continuously enhance the quality of internationally oriented education and research while opening broader opportunities for global collaboration among students and academic staff. International mobility programs such as this are expected to become an important strategic step in preparing highly qualified and globally competitive human resources in the field of food science and technology.
