As the food industry continues to evolve rapidly, providing students with direct exposure to practitioners has become essential in developing strong professional competencies. In line with this commitment, the Department of Food and Agricultural Product Technology (TPHP), Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada hosted another guest lecture for the Sweetener Technology course on Tuesday (2/12).
The session featured Ir. Tamino, M.Sc., representing PT Indo Gula Pastika, a company engaged in sugarcane processing and production in Indonesia. The lecture was attended by master’s students from the Food and Agricultural Products Technology program and the Plantation Products Technology program who are enrolled in the course.
Opening the session, Ir. Tamino introduced the fundamental concept of sugar as a chemical compound classified under carbohydrates, characterized by its sweetness and solubility in water—commonly referred to as sucrose in the food industry. He also broadened students’ perspectives by discussing several alternative sugar sources, including corn, coconut, nipa palm, lontar palm, and stevia, the latter of which has gained popularity as a low-calorie sweetener.
His presentation extended beyond theory, touching on current national sugar industry issues such as price fluctuations and supply challenges that have shaped the industry landscape in recent years.
In the core part of the lecture, Ir. Tamino outlined the systematic stages of sugarcane processing, from raw material preparation to storage. He explained the composition of sugarcane juice, which predominantly consists of water (73–76%) followed by sucrose (around 10–12%). Each stage was presented through a practical, field-based perspective, giving students a clear picture of the complexity behind sugar production.
Through this activity, TPHP UGM reaffirms its commitment to providing education that is relevant and responsive to industry needs. Inviting industry professionals such as Ir. Tamino not only enriches students’ understanding but also brings real-world, case-based learning directly into the classroom.
Writer: Firstnandita K
