On this occasion, Suratman expressed the big interest of students of the Faculty to continue their education abroad. This was proven by the number of students who are accepted to study abroad under the scholarship. Recently, as many as 5 students of the Faculty (3 S2 students and 2 S3 students) received scholarship from CNRD and now studying at Cologne University of Applied Science. It is an honor for Faculty of Geography in particular and Universitas Gadjah Mada, in general, that are trying to be World Class Research University .
The CUAC Rector and his delegation also called on UGM Rector, Prof.Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D. at UGM Main Building. They discussed about the collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada and Cologne University of Applied Science that has been stipulated in the MoU dated December 9, 2009. The MoU discussed about cooperation such as Academic Staff Program, Joint Research Program, Postgraduate Degree Program on M. Sc Level, Student Exchange and Developing Module and Academic Program.
He said that the national need of bio-ethanol has currently not been met. The national need of bio-ethanol in Indonesia reaches 1.4 million kilo liter/year, while its production is now only about 240 million liters/year. "Molasses can be made into bio-ethanol through fragmentation. For diesel fuel, oil palm is also abundant in our country," he said.
Particularly elephant grass is also quite good to be developed as substitute of premium into bio-ethanol. Elephant grass can be harvested 2 times in 1 year, It is more easier to plant it and it can grow in almost all parts of Indonesia.
Besides, the development of other energy sources in Indonesia, such as solar, wind, and water, is possible to be done. The good will of the government to do it as what was done in some countries, e.g. U.S., Brazil, and China, is needed. "It just needs good will from the government to implement it," Jumina said.
In the current context, the development of alternative energy in Indonesia can be funded by the withdrawal of fuel subsidy for certain types of vehicles, such as what was initiated by the previous government. This can be implemented for vehicles or cars under 2000 cc. But, if new vehicles are given subsidy, it is feared that the move is not practicable. "If the subsidy would be given to new and expensive vehicles, it will become the wrong target," he said.
Besides, private car ownership needs to be regulated through the imposition of a progressive tax. People who have more than 1 car would be taxed higher. This is to limit car ownerships. "Progressive taxation should be applied for those who want to have more than 1 car, they will re-think of that, so the number of cars can be limited," Jumina added.
Prof. Jumina explained that other steps which can be taken is the realignment of energy management, especially exploration involving foreign companies. So far, the distribution of petroleum exploration is more profitable for foreign companies. "The issue of energy management in oil exploration should also be re-managed. Let us prevent losses in the end," the Professor of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences UGM said.
If the management of this energy exploration could be done better, Indonesia can save much energy and there is no need for imports. Therefore, energy production is increasing and will not burden the government anymore.