Universitas Gadjah Mada and PT ExxonMobil Cepu Limited have established a collaboration in the field of education, research, and community service.
The signing of the cooperation was held at the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences along with the execution of a public lecture, “The Role of Oil and Gas Industry in Energy Transition.”
On this occasion, academic support was also provided by PT ExxonMobil Cepu Limited to Universitas Gadjah Mada.
In the cooperation agreement signed by Muhammad Nurdin, Senior Vice President of Production at PT ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, and Professor Puji Astuti, representing UGM, it is mentioned that support will be given in research, with mechanisms to be determined by both parties, including research related to the oil and gas industry.
The collaboration also includes knowledge sharing and support for educational sessions, including public lectures and training sessions, online and offline.
It also involves internships, technical study programs, field visits, and collaboration in community development programs, including accompanying community programs and the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) in the EMCL (ExxonMobil Cepu Limited) operational area.
“On behalf of PT ExxonMobil Indonesia, we are very proud because this collaboration not only strengthens the relationship between the academic and industrial worlds in terms of teaching, research, and community service but also reinforces the collaboration that has been ongoing,” said Muhammad Nurdin on Friday (October 20).
Nurdin hopes that this collaboration will serve as a foundation for innovation and measurable solutions in addressing the global energy issues currently being faced.
ExxonMobil believes in the vital role of the academic world in developing technology in the oil and gas industry and in implementing diverse and appropriate socio-economic approaches in community policies.
He explained that the partnership between PT ExxonMobil and UGM has been ongoing for quite some time. Several activities have been conducted not only in the Cepu Block area but have been ongoing since ExxonMobil started operating assets in Aceh several years ago.
These activities include engineering studies, hydrology, and coastal building studies.
“There were also training sessions for government officials in Bojonegoro Village, several research studies, MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) development, research on the perceptions of the community in the operational areas, employee health research, internship programs, and student visits to the Cepu Block,” Nurdin added.
He mentioned that many UGM graduates currently working at PT ExxonMobil hold essential and strategic positions. He also conveyed that PT ExxonMobil has supported Indonesia’s energy sovereignty and security through the Cepu Block.
“The Banyu Urip field in Bojonegoro has contributed more than 25% of oil production. The initial oil investment in Bojonegoro was around 52 trillion, and today, this investment has increased sixfold to about 395 trillion rupiah,” Nurdin said.
“This support manifests ExxonMobil’s commitment to ensuring a stable and sustainable energy supply in Indonesia.”
Representing UGM, Professor Puji Astuti expressed gratitude to PT ExxonMobil Indonesia for collaborating in the public lecture held at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.
Collaborative public lectures with the industrial sector are one of the programs aimed at strengthening UGM students’ capacity for awareness of the emerging issues in today’s world.
“One of them is our readiness for the energy transition towards net zero emissions (NZE) by 2060, which requires multi-stakeholder synergy and supports the achievement of SDG 7,” Professor Astuti said.
Through this collaboration, UGM and PT ExxonMobil Indonesia will jointly develop student internship programs, joint research, human resource quality development, and synergy efforts to achieve clean energy in the campus environment and other areas in Indonesia.
Through this public lecture, it is hoped that students will have the opportunity to learn a lot from the multinational company.
“Students will certainly have the opportunity to ask many questions and get to know PT ExxonMobil, maybe even to work for this company in the future,” she added.
During the public lecture, Professor Sarjiya, head of the UGM Center for Energy Studies, stated that energy has become one of humanity’s fundamental needs today. While in the past, basic needs concerned only food, shelter, and clothing, they have now expanded to include energy.
“Even a momentary energy loss now becomes a problem, causing confusion. For example, when a mobile phone’s battery is low, it feels like losing something. The issue we are facing now is the accessibility or energy access in regions like Papua and border areas,” Professor Sarjiya said.
International Relations lecturer Professor Poppy Sulistyaning Winanti stated that the energy transition from fossil-based to cleaner, renewable, and sustainable energy is an unavoidable demand.
This poses a challenge to Indonesia as the effort toward transition coincides with the necessity to meet energy needs and achieve energy security.
“Until now, we still have a high dependence on fossil energy, while we have the potential for renewable energy sources that have not been optimally developed,” she elaborated.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Eko/DKRG