Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in the SUIJI Consortium 10th Anniversary Seminar in Ehime, Japan, held from February 8 to 9, 2024.
The SUIJI (Six-University Initiative Japan Indonesia) Consortium was formed by Ehime University in March 2011, focusing on joint educational programs for sustainable agriculture.
It comprises six universities from Japan and Indonesia: Ehime University, Kagawa University, Kochi University, Universitas Gadjah Mada, IPB University, and Hasanuddin University.
Attending the global conference, the Rector of UGM, Professor Ova Emilia, was joined by the Head of the Office of International Affairs, Dr. Alfatika Aunuriella Dini; Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Professor Eni Harmayani; and Vice Dean for Academic and Students Affairs, Professor Yudi Pranoto.
“It is possible to scale up the SUIJI program by inviting students to intern at UGM’s industrial partners. Opportunities for joint Ph.D. programs and scholarships for SUIJI members are also available,” Professor Ova Emilia highlighted in her presentation.
The seminar’s agenda includes a review of SUIJI’s achievements, a university president’s forum, joint research presentations, and alumni sharing sessions. A formal leadership handover from UGM to IPB University was also conducted on the first day of the seminar.
“This year (2024) marks the 12th year of collaboration between UGM and other universities under SUIJI. Since the onset of the consortium, we have implemented eight agreements on joint research, joint programs for master’s and doctorate, and student mobility programs,” said Dr. Alfatika Aunuriella Dini.
The collaboration between UGM and SUIJI has resulted in significant achievements, including joint research publications, student mobility programs, and service-learning initiatives benefiting communities in Indonesia and Japan.
The collaboration has resulted in 36 publications in reputable journals and the international mobility of 356 students, incoming and outgoing from and to UGM under the SUIJI Service Learning Program (SLP) and 39 students under the SUIJI Joint Program for Master’s & Doctor’s.
The SUIJI Service Learning Program (SLP) is similar in concept to the UGM’s Community Service Program (KKN). The students from Japan are placed in several locations in Yogyakarta, such as Bantul, Imogiri, or Gunungkidul, for six weeks, whereas the students from Indonesia conduct the service in Ainan, Kuroshio, Akehama, Takagawa, Yasuda, Muruto, and Shodeshima.
Author: UGM Office of International Affairs