A total of 60 students enrolled in the Dairy Technology course participated in an educational visit to the Dairy Product Processing Pilot Plant of the Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology (TPHP) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Wednesday, May 14. The activity took place from 09:00 to 10:40 AM, aiming to provide students with hands-on insights into milk processing operations at a pilot-scale facility.
During the visit, students received a comprehensive explanation of the milk processing flow, from the reception of raw materials to the final product. The walkthrough included a detailed tour of the raw milk reception room, cheese production area, product display room, as well as the ice cream and yoghurt production areas. Students were also introduced to various product characteristics, such as the differences between the ripening methods of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, as well as the texture distinctions between soft and hard ice cream.
The visit provided students with a valuable opportunity to observe the mozzarella cheese-making process firsthand and operate a soft-serve ice cream machine. “It was so exciting to see the whole process in person and even get to taste the cheese and ice cream. Until now, I only knew about them from books or lectures,” said one of the students. In addition, students were invited to taste cheese products produced at the pilot plant, enriching their sensory experience with the types of dairy products they had studied.
This visit was designed not only to enhance students’ theoretical knowledge but also to deepen their practical understanding of industrial dairy processing. It serves as a tangible step toward bridging classroom theory with real-world practice, preparing students to meet the demands and challenges of the dairy-based food industry. The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, by highlighting the importance of integrating academic learning with field-based experiences.
Written by: Firstnandita Keisha