Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the State Institute of Christian Religion (IAKN) Palangka Raya have agreed to collaborate on quality audit activities and organize an international conference.
This agreement was revealed during the signing ceremony between the Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching of UGM, Professor Wening Udasmoro, and the Rector of IAKN Palangka Raya, Dr. Telhalia, on Thursday (Jun. 6) at the UGM Central Office.
The scope of this collaboration covers three main areas: first, training assistance for the Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI) and Internal Quality Audit (AMI); second, the organization of an international conference; and third, the implementation of Community Service Programs (KKN) for moderation, a priority program of the Ministry of Religion involving religious higher education institutions and state universities.
Professor Udasmoro welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with other higher education institutions to enhance the quality of national higher education and teaching.
“We have the Inter-Religious Studies (IRS) program, which includes the Centre for Religious and Cross-cultural Studies (CRCS) for the master’s level. Meanwhile, the Doctoral Program in Inter-Religious Studies (IRS) is conducted by the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS), a consortium consisting of UGM, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and Duta Wacana Christian University,” she explained.
She added that both programs rank 51-100 globally and have a diverse student composition from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, both domestic and international, with instructors from diverse backgrounds. Professor Udasmoro hopes that many students from IAKN Palangka Raya will be sent to study in the IRS Program at UGM.
“In October, there will also be the 6th International Conference on Indigenous Religions held at IAKN Ambon, and let us work together to make this event a success,” she said.
In her remarks, Dr. Telhalia expressed her gratitude to UGM for witnessing the transformation of IAKN Palangka Raya from a high school to an institute and soon to a university.
“We have received a lot of assistance from UGM’s quality assurance body. In the future, we hope to be guided for the KKN, a government priority program,” Dr. Telhalia requested.
The signing of the MoU between UGM and IAKN Palangka Raya extends the existing memorandum of understanding. IAKN Palangka Raya is scheduled to participate in the Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI) and Internal Quality Audit (AMI) training organized by the UGM Quality Assurance and Reputation Unit (SMPRU) this coming August.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographer: Firsto