Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the University of Nottingham, UK, have agreed to collaborate in student exchange programs, research collaborations, and joint publications in the fields of health and engineering sciences.
This agreement was formalized on Friday (Jun. 7) at the UGM Central Office with the signing of a memorandum of understanding by UGM Secretary Dr. Andi Sandi and Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham Professor Jane Norman.
Dr. Andi Sandi stated that this partnership renewal builds on the collaboration that started in 2019. Previously, educational and research collaborations have been ongoing through the Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM) and the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM).
“We are very pleased to renew this partnership. We began this in 2019. We have had excellent collaboration through FT UGM and research activities through FK-KMK UGM since 2001 and 2002,” said Dr. Andi Sandi.
The renewal of this cooperation agreement opens up opportunities for student exchange programs.
“Collaboration provides our students with an international perspective,” he explained.
Dr. Andi Sandi hopes that the scope of the collaboration can also be expanded to enhance the global reputation of both universities.
“I hope this partnership will improve our universities’ positions globally,” he said.
Professor Jane Norman welcomed the renewal of this collaboration, as it can enhance the quality of human resources and contribute to solving global issues.
“We have a long history of collaboration in various activities, especially in engineering and health. I think the world is facing many challenges, and only through collaboration can we overcome these global challenges, whether they be diseases or global warming,” Professor Norman said.
She emphasized that the quality of a nation’s human resources is crucial for the world’s future, making it essential for universities to produce high-quality graduates with international competencies.
“I am very optimistic about the world’s future because when I meet young people, whether from the UK, Indonesia, or anywhere else, I think the world is safe in their hands for the future,” she expressed.
Through this collaboration, Professor Jane Norman said, students are given the opportunity to participate in exchange programs, one of the missions being to provide students with an international outlook.
“I think it is essential for us to provide international opportunities for young people so that they can learn not only from their own country but also from other countries. So, this collaboration is very important to us, helping us to do what we are trying to do: to support a better world,” she hoped.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie