Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (PT SMI) are partnering to support national development through education, research, and community service. The partnership was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the UGM x PT SMI Campus Roadshow, held in Multimedia Room 1, UGM Central Office, on Tuesday (Oct. 27).
The event, themed “Peran Development Finance Institution (DFI) dalam Mendorong Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Daerah” (“The Role of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in Promoting Regional Economic Growth”), featured PT SMI President Director Dr. Reynaldi Hermansjah as the keynote speaker.
The public lecture invited students to better understand how development finance institutions support infrastructure provision and promote regional economic growth.
UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia said the partnership between UGM and PT SMI has been in place since 2018. The renewed agreement expands their existing collaboration, particularly in education, research, community service, and support for national infrastructure development.
“We have already carried out numerous joint activities under this partnership,” she said.
Ova explained that follow-up initiatives could include expert recruitment, further study opportunities, internship programs, guest lectures, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. The collaboration could also expand to several UGM faculties, including the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), and the Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM).
UGM and PT SMI are also exploring financing facilities for UGM Academic Hospital (RSA UGM). Expected to strengthen synergies between the academic community and development financing institutions.
PT SMI President Director Dr. Reynaldi Hermansjah said the partnership agreement signing was not merely a ceremonial event but a foundation for delivering tangible benefits to both institutions and Indonesia’s development.
“We hope this collaboration will deliver real benefits to both institutions and contribute to Indonesia’s development,” he said.
PT SMI serves as a Development Finance Institution (DFI), supporting infrastructure development through financing and various forms of financial assistance. This role is essential to address financing gaps, particularly for projects that have not yet secured support from commercial financing sources.
PT SMI’s support also includes assessments to identify regional development needs and priorities, including evaluating economic potential and the feasibility of proposed projects.
Through these assessments, PT SMI can recommend which projects local governments should prioritize. This approach is expected to ensure better targeted financing and deliver meaningful benefits to communities.
During the public lecture, Reynaldi also explained that infrastructure development generates multiplier effects across the economy. Adequate infrastructure can support community activities, create business opportunities and jobs, and improve connectivity between regions.
Development financing should focus on broader economic and social impacts rather than simply completing physical construction.
“Financing is not merely about disbursing funds; it is about ensuring that infrastructure development projects can actually be realized,” he explained.
Through the Campus Roadshow, UGM students understand the connections between financing, infrastructure development, and regional economic growth. The event was also a platform for knowledge exchange between academia and development finance practitioners.
Going forward, UGM and PT SMI hope their renewed partnership will continue to grow through collaborative programs that strengthen academic capacity, advance infrastructure development, and support Indonesia’s national development.
Author: Adinda Putri Rahma
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photos: Donnie