InfoSAWIT, YOGYAKARTA – Institut Pertanian Stiper (INSTIPER) Yogyakarta is introducing 825 new students to Indonesia’s plantation, forestry, and horticulture sectors through its 2026 Orientation to Campus and Plantation, or OKKABUN 2026.
Carrying the theme “Know the Campus and Know the Plantation,” the orientation program for the 2026/2027 academic year was held at the INSTIPER campus in Yogyakarta and at the Sustainable Environmental Agriculture Training (SEAT) facility in Ungaran, Central Java.
The program is designed not merely as an introduction to university life, but also as an early stage in developing student character while giving them practical exposure to agriculture, plantations, and forestry.
OKKABUN 2026 forms part of INSTIPER’s strategy to prepare human resources with the knowledge, skills, and character required by the agro-industry.
The program runs through pre-OKKABUN, the main orientation activities, and post-OKKABUN stages. New students are introduced to the academic environment and campus culture while gaining an initial understanding of the professional world.
One of its central components is the introduction of INSTIPER’s Eight Cultural Values: Integrity, Nationality, Scientific, Trust, Influence, Professional, Excellence, and Respect. The values are intended to provide a foundation for students throughout their academic journey.
Learning Directly from Plantation Commodities
OKKABUN 2026 also emphasizes experiential learning, allowing students to encounter plantation and forestry commodities directly before studying them in greater depth in the classroom.
Dr. Adi Ruswanto, Chairman of the OKKABUN 2026 Committee and INSTIPER Vice Rector III for Student Affairs, said the approach enables students from 28 provinces across Indonesia to gain practical exposure to plantation, forestry, and horticultural commodities.
“Through direct learning methods at SEAT Ungaran, new students can learn directly about various plantation, forestry, and horticultural commodities before later studying the theory in class,” Adi said.
The field experience, he added, provides students with a concrete understanding of the subjects they will encounter during their academic studies.
Beyond commodity introduction, the program also focuses on four areas of student development: physical ability, mental resilience, logical thinking, and creativity.
Students take part in discipline training, a five-kilometer nature trek through the Sustainable Landscape Observatory Track, and a nighttime skills simulation known as edutrail.
Creativity and innovation are also encouraged through the scientific competition Clash of Agro Champions, as well as INSTIPER Talent and Gebyar Talenta activities.
INSTIPER Prepares Students for the Agro-Industry
INSTIPER Rector Dr. Harsawardana said OKKABUN represents an important early stage in shaping student character before they enter the more complex academic environment of higher education.
According to him, the plantation and forestry industries require more than academic competence. Students also need character, practical skills, and the ability to adapt to technological developments.
“This activity is a crucial first step in shaping students’ character so they are ready to become future leaders in the plantation and forestry industries,” Harsawardana said in an official statement cited by InfoSAWIT on Friday, September 11, 2026.
At SEAT Ungaran, students are introduced to plantation management practices and technologies increasingly used in the sector, including drones, the Internet of Things (IoT), and map interpretation.
The introduction is considered important as digital transformation becomes increasingly embedded in Indonesia’s plantation and forestry industries.
Harsawardana emphasized that character development remains a key priority for INSTIPER. The university expects its eight cultural values to become part of students’ attitudes throughout their education and eventually in their professional careers.
“INSTIPER graduates must have the best knowledge, best skill, and best character,” he said.
Alumni Highlight the Importance of Solidarity
The orientation also provides motivation from INSTIPER alumni. One of the speakers was Totok AS, President Director of PT Jateng Agro Berdikari (Perseroda) and an INSTIPER alumnus from the class of 1990.
Totok said the experience gained through OKKABUN could become valuable mental preparation for students as they enter the workforce.
“Believe that this OKKABUN activity will train the mental resilience and attitude you will need when you eventually enter the workforce,” he said.
He also encouraged students to build relationships and solidarity from the beginning of their university years, noting that friendships formed during college could become valuable networks after graduation.
“Remember the names and addresses of your friends because they will become your brothers and sisters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Purwadi, MS., Chairman of YPKPY, the foundation overseeing INSTIPER Yogyakarta, also encouraged the new students by highlighting the achievements of the university’s alumni in strategic positions across the plantation and forestry industries.
Among those mentioned were Rujito and Arif Catur, who were described as having served as Chief Operating Officers at Astra Agro Lestari.
Purwadi also highlighted INSTIPER’s long-running cooperation with the forestry industry, including an official scholarship program for students in the Bachelor of Industrial Plantation Forestry program provided by PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP).
These achievements, according to Purwadi, demonstrate the relevance of INSTIPER’s education to the evolving needs of Indonesia’s plantation and forestry industries. (T2)
