Rector ofUGM has signed a memorandum of understanding in education, research, and community service with leading companies in Indonesia, PT. Mayora Indah Tbk, on Friday (15/9) in the Main Office of UGM. Both parties will support each other in national education through innovation and product development that are needed by the society.
“The development in technology and economy has made us work harder to educate the state's young people to be always stay relevant with the needs of society. Thus UGM cannot work alone, and we need to partner with government and industry in order to increase education quality,” said the Rektor, Prof. Ir. Panut Multono, M.Eng., D.Eng.
Panut revealed UGM focuses on research that is relevant with existing problems among society. He emphasised the research is further to be developed into beneficial innovative products.
“This research has to be downstreamed, made into functional products so that they have economic value that can increase the nation’s economy to flourish,” he said.
The cooperation agreement, he said, is one of forms of cooperation between higher education and industry to support each other in research and development, product making, marketing, and others.
President Director of PT Mayora Indah Tbk, Andre Sukendra Atmadja, said there were several cooperation opportunities that can be applied in the near future, such as apprenticeship for UGM students at PT Mayora Indah and investment in UGM labs. He further observed and tried to taste food products by UGM. He praised the quality of the products and promised to help market these products wider.
“These products are good, the concept is good and is interesting. Going forward, we can establish cooperation in the marketing so that the products will be successful and beneficial," he said.
Andre said the cooperation with UGM is a a strategic and potential cooperation. He hoped this would bring real benefits to UGM, especially in competence development of the students.
“I am honoured to be able to form a cooperation with UGM which is one of the best higher education institutions in Asia. Hopefully, the presence of Mayora Indah can be beneficial to UGM, particularly the students studying here,” said Andre.