About the Department

Plant Protection Department oversees two study programs: the Undergraduate Program (S1) in Plant Protection and the Master’s Program (S2) in Plant Protection. The current Head of Department is Prof. Dr. Ir. Novri Nelly, MP.

Since achieving the “Excellent” accreditation nationally, PSM-PT has continuously strengthened its position toward international recognition, with a primary focus on the ASEAN region, in line with its institutional vision.

In 2023, PSM-PT welcomed its first student exchange participant from Universiti Putra Malaysia. In 2024, the program hosted Visiting Professors from Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, alongside inbound international students. In the same year, PSM-PT also sent its students for outbound mobility programs to both universities.

In 2025, PSM-PT expanded its international collaboration through Tridharma partnerships with Hue University and Nong Lam University, Vietnam. This collaboration was followed by visits from representatives departments and students from both institutions, who also participated in the Summer Course on Plant Protection 2025.

In 2026, international collaboration has been further strengthened, including community development program in partnership with Central Agricultural University, Tripura, India. Future collaboration targets include universities with Plant Protection programs in the Philippines and Pakistan.

History of the Plant Protection Undergraduate Study Program

The Plant Protection Study Program is one of the study programs in the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University. The Department of Plant Protection implements Bachelor's Degree (S1) Education using the credit system which can be completed in 4 years. The permit to organize the Plant Pest and Disease Science Study Program was issued by DIKTI with Decree No: 210/DIKTI/Kep/1996 dated July 11, 1996. In 2007 based on Decree. Director General of DIKTI, Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia No: 163/DIKTI/Kep/2007 concerning the Arrangement and Codification of Study Programs in Higher Education, the HPT Study Program was merged into the Agroecotechnology Study Program. On May 16, 2014, the Director General of DIKTI issued a letter for the proposal and activation of the S1 Study Program in Agriculture, one of the points of the letter stated that the Plant Pest and Disease Science Study Program was considered for reactivation. In line with stakeholder needs for graduates with plant protection competencies, the establishment of a Bachelor's Program in Plant Pest and Disease Science is essential.

Based on the letter from the Director of Learning and Student Affairs, Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture, Number 0404/E3.2/2015, dated February 2, 2015, regarding changes to the Study Program Nomenclature, the Plant Pest and Disease Science Study Program has been approved to become the Plant Protection Study Program. The current head of the study program is Dr. Yulmira Yanti, SS, MP, serving her second term.

History of Plant Protection Master Program

The Plant Protection Master Program (PSM-PT) was originally established under the name of Plant Pest and Disease Sciences Master Program (PSM-IHPT). The program was officially inaugurated on 27 November 1995, based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education No. 476/DIKTI/Kep/1995.

PSM-IHPT received its first accreditation grade of B in 2010, based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education No. 3503/D/T/K-N/2010.

In response to the Rector’s Decree No. 639/XIV/Unand-2002 concerning the restructuring of postgraduate education, and Rector Regulation No. 2 of 2012 on the implementation of monodisciplinary and oligodisciplinary postgraduate programs, then PSM-IHPT was classified as a monodisciplinary program, as it is rooted in the undergraduate (S1) program in Plant Pest and Disease Sciences. Since 2013, the program has been managed under the Faculty of Agriculture, specifically within Plant Pest and Disease Department.

In 2018, PSM-IHPT went to reaccreditation and again obtained a B rating based on BAN-PT based on decree No. 2032/SK/BAN-PT/Akred/M/VII/2018.

In 2020, the Ministry of Education and Culture issued Decree No. 630/M/2020 (dated 8 July 2020) concerning the renaming of study programs at Universitas Andalas. One of the decisions was to change the name of PSM-IHPT to PSM-PT. However, this change was not immediately reflected in the Higher Education Database (PDDIKTI). Therefore, the original name (PSM-IHPT) continued to be used in official correspondence, administration, and diplomas.

Following reaccreditation, the program was awarded the highest accreditation status, “Excellent (Unggul)”, valid from 24 November 2023, to 14 November 2028. After synchronization between PDDIKTI and BAN-PT, the official name change to PSM-PT was formally recognized on 20 December 2024, and the accreditation certificate was subsequently revised to reflect the new program name.

Leadership History

Since its establishment, the program has experienced several leadership transitions. The Heads of the Study Program (Kaprodi) are as follows:

• Prof. Dr. Ir. Sc. Agr. Trimurti Habazar (1995–1999; 1999–2003; 2003–2007; 2007–2011)

• Dr. Jumsu Trisno, SP, M.Si (2011–2012) – served for one year before being appointed as Head of the Agrotechnology Department

• Dr. Ir. Ujang Khairul, MP (2012–2016)

• Dr. Ir. Reflinaldon, M.Si (2016–2020)

• Prof. Dr. Ir. Novri Nelly, MP (2020–2023) – served for three years before being appointed as Head of Department

• Dr. My Syahrawati, SP, M.Si (April 2023 – July 2024, PAW; August 2024 – August 2029)