In order to build global resilience to overcome pandemic, some universities in the world collaborated to form the UK-Indonesia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Sciences (UKICIS) that was marked by the signing of an understanding memorandum by the six universities representatives. They consist of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bogor Agricultural University, University of Warwick, Coventry University, and Nottingham University.
“UKICIS was established last August 2020. I am so proud to be a part of UKICIS founders,” the UGM Chancellor explained.
UKICIS has a role in responding and overcoming crucial issues faced by England, Indonesia, and worldwide including the Covid-19 pandemic that still exists up to date. A forum attended by UKICIS councils and the Indonesian Embassy in the UK extensively discussed international and critical issues, as in today, a pandemic update regarding a new variant of Covid-19 and its vaccine programs.
Several experts from Indonesia and England were involved in jointly developing good practices and challenges through three theme aspects. Those are, first, public awareness of mutations and variants of the COVID-19 virus, secondly, strengthening track and trace policies to prevent more severe transmission of new virus variants, and lastly, the efficacy of vaccines against new virus variants.
One of the experts who attended the forum was a professor of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Eng. Kuwat Triyana, M.Si. Other UGM representatives and the Chancellor had supported this effort by signing an understanding memorandum and launching the UKICIS website. Besides, it was also considered an effort to strengthen collaboration between Indonesia and England since both parties have built a pretty solid partnership since a long time ago. This collaboration agreement is later transformed into real beneficial actions and contributions.
“UKICIS establishment will generate a better collaboration between both parties. At the same time, the Indonesian diaspora network, or community who work in universities in England, will give their total support for this good intention even more,” the Chancellor added.
Author: Gloria
Translator: Natasa