Author: Nuraini Fitri Aribah
Jatinangor, June 11, 2026 — The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran in collaboration with Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA), organized “BGA Goes to Campus: Career Talkshow & Campus Hiring” at the Multimedia Building of the Faculty of Agriculture. Carrying the theme “Transforming Palm Oil Industry: Sustainability, Technology & Future Growth,” the event aimed to provide students with insights into the development of the modern palm oil industry while introducing various career opportunities available within the plantation sector. The program featured Agus Sutrisno, Human Capital & OSM Director of BGA, and Andi Muhammad Amin, Sustainability Governance Department Head of BGA, and included a special session on internship programs and career opportunities for fresh graduates.
In his welcoming remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Dr. Ahmad Choibar Tridakusumah, M.P., emphasized that the event served as an important platform for students to gain firsthand insights into the management of large-scale palm oil operations and to explore professional pathways aligned with their academic backgrounds. He also expressed his hope that the partnership between Unpad and BGA would continue to grow and expand in the future.
“This event provides students with a valuable opportunity to gain a real understanding of the modern palm oil industry while broadening their perspectives on the diverse career paths available in accordance with their fields of expertise. We hope that our collaboration with BGA will continue to flourish and develop into broader forms of cooperation in the years ahead,” he stated.
During the talkshow session, Agus Sutrisno explained that the program was motivated by the declining interest among agriculture graduates in pursuing careers in the plantation sector over the past decade. According to him, the perception that plantation work is limited to conventional field activities no longer reflects the reality of today’s industry. The palm oil sector has undergone significant transformation, creating opportunities in a wide range of professions, including data analytics, information technology, research, digitalization, automation, and agricultural mechanization. He also highlighted the importance of systematic thinking, strong literacy skills, effective communication, and leadership abilities as essential competencies for navigating an increasingly dynamic workforce.
In addition to discussing career prospects, the event addressed sustainability issues, which have become a key priority within the modern palm oil industry. Andi Muhammad Amin explained that plantation companies are now required to comply with various national and international sustainability standards, including the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification systems. He outlined BGA’s commitment to implementing sustainable practices through environmental protection, responsible land management, support for smallholders and local communities, and the application of good corporate governance. Through these discussions, students were encouraged to develop a more objective understanding of the palm oil industry based on evidence, industry practices, and sustainability commitments.
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Faculty of Agriculture Unpad and BGA as an initial step toward strengthening collaboration in education, internships, and research. Through this partnership, students are expected to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the strategic role of the palm oil industry in national development while recognizing the contributions they can make through innovation and technology. As highlighted during the talkshow, the palm oil sector is projected to remain one of Indonesia’s leading commodities, with growing demand creating extensive career opportunities for future generations of agricultural professionals.
The BGA Goes to Campus program also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by strengthening the connection between academia and industry, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by enhancing graduate readiness for the workforce, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through fostering collaboration between higher education institutions and industry partners. Through this synergy, the Faculty of Agriculture Unpad and BGA aspire to cultivate highly skilled, innovative, and future-ready agricultural professionals capable of contributing to sustainable agricultural and plantation development in Indonesia.
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