Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a strategic Cooperation Agreement focusing on strengthening the university’s tri-dharma mission, academic exchange, and environmental protection efforts.
The MoU was signed by UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia and IOJI Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mas Achmad Santosa, marking the beginning of collaboration between the two institutions in the fields of Law in the Anthropocene, Environmental Law, Climate Change, and Marine Plastic Waste Governance.
Professor Emilia welcomed the collaboration, expressing hope that it would enable UGM and IOJI to develop adaptive legal frameworks for the Anthropocene era, enhance scientific analysis of human impacts on marine ecosystems, and support evidence-based policymaking in the management of marine plastic waste.
“UGM is committed to contributing real solutions to global environmental challenges,” said Professor Emilia at the UGM Jakarta Campus on Friday (Sep. 19).
She also emphasized IOJI’s reputation as an influential think tank and advocacy institution with extensive international networks and direct experience in shaping environmental legal policy alongside the Indonesian government.
“This collaboration opens opportunities to expand strategic international networks, including access to funding from global donors focusing on environmental issues, climate change, and ocean governance,” she added.
IOJI Chief Executive Officer Dr. Santosa expressed his appreciation to UGM for this partnership, hoping it would lead to further research and publications in the maritime and legal fields.
“We also look forward to the development of a new field, the Anthropocene, as an area of cooperation between UGM and IOJI,” he said.
At the same event, Dr. Hasan Wirajuda, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2001 to 2009 and Co-Founder of IOJI, highlighted the importance of synergy among academia, government, and civil society.
“Cross-sector collaboration among academia, government, and civil society is crucial for sustaining the environment and ensuring just ocean governance,” he stated.
The commitment to cooperation was further reinforced by the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between Dr. Dahliana Hasan, Dean of the Faculty of Law at UGM (FH UGM), and Dr. Santosa, on the development of Law in the Anthropocene in Indonesia.
Another agreement was signed between Dr. Wirastuti Widyatmanti, Head of the UGM’s Bureau of Strategic Management, and Dr. Santosa, focusing on strengthening UGM’s tri-dharma mission in environmental protection.
This partnership between UGM and IOJI is expected to mark the beginning of closer collaboration in producing academic insights and policy recommendations that contribute to the nation and society.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: UGM Bureau of Strategic Management