Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Bima Regency explore cooperation for regional development. The cooperation in three fields, namely education, research and community service, was marked by the signing of cooperation draft plan by Head of Economic Division, Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of Bima Regency, Ir. Muhammad Natsir, and Senior Vice Rector for Administration, Finance and Human Resources, Prof. Ir. Adam Pamudji Rahardjo, M.Sc., at UGM Courtroom, Friday (14/10)."Especially the cooperation for development and capacity building in the economic field needs to get the initiation for development in Bima which has the potential of agricultural and marine products," Muhammad Natsir said.
Muhammad Natsir mentioned that Bima Regency has enormous potential in agriculture for onion crop and cattle farm. In addition, the marine potential of fish is abundant. Unfortunately, the surrounding communities still live in poverty. "With the initiation, I hope the community will be better, so they will leave the status of disadvantaged region later on. Moreover, the cooperation is conducted with UGM that already has been famous at the national level," he added.
Responding to the visit and the signing of temporary cooperation with Government of Bima Regency, Prof. Ir. Adam Pamudji Rahardjo, M.Sc. said that although UGM has been at the national level, the real key is still at the local level. Therefore, various forms of cooperation are conducted with almost all municipalities/ regencies in Indonesia. "This is a commitment to help people, the wider community in order to improve welfare," he said.
Adam Pamudji mentioned one of UGM’s efforts to improve welfare is through Community Empowerment Student Field Practice (KKN PPM). With this field practice, students will get along with the community to find solutions for improving the people’s welfare. "The program which is supported by Ministry of National Education certainly encourages universities to help residents in community empowerment to improve prosperity," he concluded.