Undana appointed as strategic government partner in nutrition improvement efforts

Kupang (ANTARA) - Universitas Nusa Cendana (Undana) in Kupang, NTT, has been appointed as a strategic partner in efforts to address nutrition problems in Indonesia through the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Food and Nutrition Fulfilment (CoE-PPG) in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

UNICEF Indonesia Chief Mamadou Ndiaye, speaking in Kupang on Sunday, stated that Undana is the fourth university involved in the initiative, following IPB University, Universitas Cenderawasih, and Universitas Brawijaya.

“This centre will integrate four main focuses: teaching and training, research and innovation, knowledge management, and an integrated systems approach,” he said.

Undana’s involvement is considered crucial given the characteristics of the NTT region, which faces dry land food challenges.

Undana’s Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs, Prof Annytha I. R. Detha, said her institution will optimise its teaching factory facilities and cross-faculty expertise to support the programme.

“In addition to the health sector, the Faculties of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Economics and Business are prepared to strengthen the food supply chain. FKIP through the Early Childhood Education programme will also be involved in family nutrition support,” she stated.

Head of Undana’s LP2M, Prof Yoseph Seran Mau, added that Undana is ready to provide guidance on processing food based on local resources such as livestock and fisheries products to create nutrition-standardised products.

Undana’s Agricultural Economics expert, Prof D Roy Nendissa, assessed that the CoE-PPG needs to be directed as a trigger for regional economic growth through strengthening the local food supply chain.

According to him, NTT communities must be empowered as the main suppliers of food ingredients for the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).

“We need to build an ecosystem involving local government, universities, and SMEs so that the raw material needs of the MBG programme do not depend on sources from outside the region,” he said.

Through this cross-sectoral synergy, the CoE-PPG at Undana is expected to serve as a catalyst in accelerating the decline in stunting and promoting the realisation of a healthier and more productive generation in NTT.