Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held its University Work Meeting (RKU) to discuss the 2026 Annual Work and Budget Plan (RKAT) on Monday (Oct. 6) at the Multimedia Room I, UGM Central Office.
The meeting served as a strategic forum to align the direction of the university’s tri-dharma (education, research, and community service) across all work units. Through the RKU, the university strengthened coordination and synergy among faculties, schools, and research centers to ensure program implementation remains in line with the 2022–2027 Strategic Plan.
“RKU serves as both a forum for reflection and a shared commitment to ensuring that the university’s direction remains adaptive and impactful,” said UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, in her opening remarks.
In her address, Professor Emilia emphasized that 2026 marks a significant phase for UGM in strengthening its dynamic capabilities, including the university’s ability to sense changes, determine strategic actions, and adjust resources to remain relevant.
She noted that enhancing these capabilities is crucial for responding to rapid technological advancements, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and the evolving challenges of 21st-century education.
“We cannot avoid environmental changes, but we must strengthen our dynamic capabilities to be able to read, adapt to, and respond to every challenge,” she said.
Furthermore, Professor Emilia underscored the need to transform the academic culture from a teaching culture into a research and innovation culture. This paradigm shift serves as a foundation for the university to generate research and innovations that address societal and industrial needs.
“It is time for us to shift our focus from merely teaching to producing research and innovations that bring real impact,” the rector stated.
In the education sector, Professor Emilia outlined six key areas of strengthening, ranging from adaptive curricula and foreign language literacy to enhancing graduates’ employability. UGM is also expanding access to online learning through UGM Online and strengthening its internationalization programs for students.
“We want to ensure that every UGM graduate is well-equipped to face global dynamics with 21st-century skills,” she remarked.
In the field of research and innovation, UGM continues to strengthen an integrated ecosystem spanning from research to product commercialization. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with industry, the university promotes outcome-oriented and socially impactful research.
“We want our research not to stop in laboratories but to live on and benefit society and industry,” said Professor Emilia.
Support for the innovation ecosystem was also enhanced through the sharing of best practices by UGM alumnus Dr. Raphael Aswin Susilowidodo, Vice President of R&D, Regulatory, and Medical Affairs at PT SOHO Industri Pharmasi.
Dr. Susilowidodo shared his experiences in managing innovation within the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing the importance of cross-functional collaboration and open-minded thinking to create new value.
“Innovation does not come from one person but from the team’s ability to unite small ideas into a strong concept,” he explained.
He also shared that SOHO applies the Seed-to-Patient Concept as a strategy for sustainable innovation in herbal medicine. This approach ensures product quality from cultivation to consumption, supported by precision technology and cross-sector partnerships.
“We believe innovation must respond to real societal needs while maintaining sustainability,” said Dr. Susilowidodo.
His participation as a UGM alumnus reflects the university’s success in preparing human resources who are not only academically excellent but also capable of contributing to strategic industries.
Collaborations with alumni figures, such as Dr. Susilowidodo, strengthen the bridge between academia and industry while expanding the societal impact of campus-based innovations.
“UGM has a strong research ecosystem, and we in the industry are ready to be partners in realizing research with practical value,” he added.
Concluding the event, the RKU discussions reaffirmed the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing innovation and sustainable university governance.
Through digitalization, the development of an intelligent university, and its commitment to a green campus, UGM continues to build a resilient and adaptive higher education management system.
All participants agreed that synergy among stakeholders is key to achieving UGM’s 2026 strategic goals.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Firsto