Universitas Gadjah Mada has established cooperation with Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) on the use and control of nuclear energy. Signing of the cooperation was done on Friday (6/4) by Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., and Head of Bapeten, Prof. Dr. Jazi Eko Istiyanto. On the same day, the Rector also signed cooperation agreement with Director of PT Pupuk Kujang, Nugraha Budi Eka Irianto, in education and research areas.
“The cooperation is not merely on power plant, but also health and agriculture,” Rector of UGM, Panut Mulyono, said.
He said use of nuclear had to be monitored closely. Such use had to cover areas that are benefiting society. “Use of nuclear has to be secured, because if it falls to the hands of terrorists, it will be very dangerous,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the cooperation with PT Pupuk Kujang, said Rector, UGM supported the provision of raw materials of natural gas to increase fertilisers production. According to the Rector, natural gas supplies were limited because most was used for exports as stipulated in long term agreements. But as a matter of fact, domestic demand of natural gas is increasing. To resolve this is by using coal gasification that has low calory and ash ouput. “Gasification of coal is for replacing methane gas as fertiliser making fuels,” he said.
Director of PT Pupuk Kujang, Nugraha Budi Eka Irianto, said the research cooperation with UGM had run long, for example in agriculture to create innovative products that can extend the area for plant roots. “This product can extend the areas of plant roots, so the roots will rise in number,” he said.
Currently, cooperation with UGM Chemical Engineering, he said, was done on research to develop fertilisers and use of organic colouring for fertilisers. “Now it is being investigated the fertilisers that can support food self-provision,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Jazi Eko Istiyanto said the cooperation with UGM covered the areas of nuclear energy and cyber security. “We try to computerise regulations so that each regulation will not overlap with each other,” he said.