YOGYAKARTA – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), and Shizuoka University, Japan, have agreed to collaborate in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Vice-Rector for Research and Community Service UGM, Prof. Dr. Suratman, M.Sc., and Dean of Faculty of Education of Shizuoka University, Prof. Oshamu Omizawa, witnessed by Indonesian national coordinator of ESD, Prof. Ir. Noor Endah Mochtar.

Prof. Omizawa  said they wanted to collaborate with Universitas Gadjah Mada because they were interested in the Student Community Service – People Empowerment program. “The Student Community Service is very interesting, in my opinion this could become the core of ESD,” he said.

Omizawa explained Shizuoka University plans to include the Student Community Service concept in their 2016 curriculum with some adjustments that incorporate ESD concept and 21st century education. “We have to change everything in our education system, but the most important thing is educating lecturers who will teach the students,” he said.

Prof. Suratman said UGM had initiated the Student Community Service and sends up to 7,500 students annually to every part of the country. He revealed the concept harmonises the philosophy of Yogyakarta education system, which is to beautify the universe. The three principles in this concept covers the relations between man and God, man and nature, and man and man.

“I hope our colleagues from Japan can also learn this principle that is the concept of ESD from Yogyakarta people,” he said.