Safety and Processing Stability in Indonesian Smallholder Dairy Systems

Safety and Processing Stability in Indonesian Smallholder Dairy Systems

About VLIRUOS
As the operational agency of the Flemish rectors’ conference (Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad - VLIR), VLIRUOS is the leading funding body for scholarships and for partnerships between academics from Flanders and partner institutions in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, focused on global sustainable development.
About SAFE-ID
The VLIRUOS TEAM project SAFE-ID (Enhancing Milk Safety and Processing Stability in Indonesian Smallholder Dairy Systems through in vitro-in silico Data Integration) drives a long-lasting shift in Indonesian smallholder dairy systems by improving hygiene, processing stability, and data-driven quality management. By integrating combined in vitro-in silico PhD level research focusing on microbial interventions, climate-resilient processing strategies and predictive modelling, SAFE-ID will eventually help farmers and cooperatives deliver consistently safer, higher-quality milk, yogurt, and cheese despite tropical climate and infrastructure challenges.
In the SAFE-ID project, 3 universities join forces to realize its objectives via 2 PhD level positions: KU Leuven/BioTeC+ is collaborating with Indonesian partner universities UNIMUS-Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang and UNDIP-Universitas Diponegoro.
About KU Leuven/BioTeC+ (Campus Gent, Belgium)
The vision of BioTeC+ (Chemical & Biochemical Process Technology & Control) (PI: Prof. Jan F.M. Van Impe) is to consolidate and strengthen both its international research position and its societal impact by focusing on a carefully selected number of research areas and application domains in applied chemistry/chemical and biological process engineering.
At present, these application domains can be characterized by the keywords industrial biotechnology, closing the waste/water cycle, and public health. These constitute the pillars (columns) (bio)chemical reactions & reactors, (biological) waste(-water) treatment systems, and predictive microbiology/microbial risk assessment within BioTeC+’s research matrix. This broad range of application domains is supported by our long standing systemic (systems and control) approach towards applied chemistry/chemical and biological process engineering. The research areas (i) systems theory and analysis, systems biology, process model identification (including optimal experimental design), (ii) process monitoring, and (iii) optimization and model based control characterize the transversal rows in the research matrix. These rows constitute the longstanding fundament of BioTeC+’s research covering and underpinning all application domains (pillars).
KU Leuven/BioTeC+ runs a state-of-the-art L2 accredited laboratory for experimental predictive microbiology research, as well as high end computing facilities. Our 4 postdocs and 14 PhD researchers are involved in numerous (inter)national research projects and networks, including 6 ongoing EU projects.
Full details: https://cit.kuleuven.be/biotec/
About UNIMUS-Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang (Central Java, Indonesia)
Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang (UNIMUS) brings expertise in milk microbiology and hygiene interventions, supported by well-equipped biomedical and microbiology laboratories. Proficiency in pathogen detection, antimicrobial testing, and biofilm research, provides reproducible, locally relevant microbiological data to guide cooperative milk collection and handling. UNIMUS addresses critical gaps in farm-level microbial risk assessment and hygiene innovation, while building laboratory training capacity.
About UNDIP-Universitas Diponegoro (Central Java, Indonesia)
Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) complements this with strengths in milk production, dairy processing, and value-chain implementation. Its Department of Animal Science and Dairy Research Unit operates a teaching farm, milk laboratories, and food technology facilities, with established farmer engagement across Central Java. UNDIP translates microbiological insights into improved processing stability, fermentation standardization, and quality control for yogurt and fresh cheese, leveraging expertise in animal nutrition, lactation physiology, and smallholder systems.
SAFE-ID strengthens institutional capacity by combining UNIMUS’s microbiology excellence with UNDIP’s applied dairy and cooperative engagement. Joint experimental design, shared protocols, predictive modelling, and collaborative PhD supervision enhance research quality and translational impact. Embedding interventions within teaching farms and cooperative networks ensures locally applied innovation.
About the Consortium KU Leuven/BioTeC+ - UNIMUS - UNDIP
The 3 universities involved already collaborate within the context of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building Project CBHE - FIND4S ("find force"): Enhancing Higher Education Capacity for Sustainable Data Driven Food Systems in INDonesia.