Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Papua Provincial Government have agreed to enhance human resource capacity and competence by providing opportunities for Papuan youth and government employees to pursue education at UGM.
This commitment was discussed during a meeting between UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia and Acting Governor of Papua Agus Fatoni on Wednesday (Jul. 23) at the Papua Governor’s Official Residence in Jayapura, Papua.
The rector emphasized that UGM is open to supporting human resource development in Papua through educational collaboration.
“The government can send Papua’s best talents to study at UGM,” said Professor Emilia.
Furthermore, the rector stated that several programs could be established to provide Papuan youth with access to study at UGM through affirmative action pathways.
“There is an affirmative scheme that does not use the regular admission pathway, specifically designed for students from underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions,” she explained.
According to Professor Emilia, UGM opens affirmative admission opportunities every year to allow prospective students to enroll at UGM.
“This year, we have implemented it, and we hope that more students from Papua will join in the coming years. We also hope for support from Kagama (UGM Alumni Family) to help facilitate this,” she added.
On the same occasion, the rector expressed appreciation and gratitude to the provincial and regency governments for their support of UGM’s Community Service Program (KKN-PPM UGM) students in carrying out service programs in Papua.
“We visited KKN-PPM locations in Bambar, Doyo Lama, and Doyo Baru Villages. Students were warmly welcomed by the local community, who expressed interest in collaborating with local universities for knowledge and skill exchange as well as strengthening brotherhood,” she said.
Agus Fatoni expressed his appreciation for UGM’s contribution by deploying students for community service in several locations across Papua. According to him, the KKN-PPM program plays a vital role in improving public knowledge and skills.
“The presence of KKN-PPM students provides education and knowledge. We are grateful that students have come to know Papua directly by engaging with local communities, thus gaining a deeper understanding of Indonesia,” said Fatoni.
For Fatoni, understanding Papua requires more than just rhetoric or open and closed discussions; it requires real action.
“If people do not come to Papua, they will never fully understand it. We all need to publicize and share information about Papua,” he asserted.
Although Papua has special autonomy, Fatoni acknowledged that developing the economy and human resources remains a significant challenge due to geographical conditions and limited infrastructure, especially educational facilities.
Fatoni expressed his appreciation for UGM’s contributions, both through its tri-dharma activities and through figures who have consistently advocated for the importance of development in Papua.
“There are figures who have consistently paid great attention to Papua, such as the late Bambang Purwoko. There is even a special institution dedicated to Papua, which has helped draw government attention. In addition, there is a team conducting studies on the impact of development in Papua,” he said.
Through this UGM delegation visit, Fatoni hopes for stronger collaboration between the two parties.
“There are many initiatives we can undertake together to enhance Papua’s human resource capacity,” he concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Anisa Nurliana
Photographer: Firsto Adi