Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) celebrated its 73rd anniversary on Monday (19/12). At the anniversary meeting, the UGM Rector, Prof. Ova Emilia, reiterated the university’s commitment to providing solutions to wide-ranging problems faced by Indonesia and the world.
“UGM, as a leading university in the country, must take action to respond to contemporary socio-political and economic challenges and dynamics occurring at the global, regional, national, and local levels,” said Prof. Ova Emilia.
The world, the Rector said, was currently facing challenges resulting from international geopolitical dynamics and various disruptions due to the health crisis, climate change, global economic uncertainty, and rampant anti-democratic leadership patterns and political systems.
In this regard, UGM has prepared several strategic programs to help overcome these fresh challenges and disruptions and support Indonesia’s leadership in the global arena in the coming years. The university will intensify transdisciplinary research and social advocacy on climate change, health, and the clean energy transition.
Second, there will be more and more policy forums to accelerate the resolution of national problems and provide more impactful contributions at the global level. Apart from that, UGM will also oversee the growth and development of a just and democratic economic and political system.
“We believe that with the power of research, innovation, networking, and transdisciplinarity, UGM will play an active role and have a strong impact on the humanitarian problems faced by this nation,” she said.
This year’s commemoration focuses on food sovereignty to overcome the food crisis threatening the world today. The university has long made efforts to realize food sovereignty. One of the well-known research products in agriculture is the black soybean variety Mallika, which has a productivity potential of 2-3 times the national average.
The development of Smart Agricultural Enterprise (SAE) technology has also assisted the community in increasing soybean production and quality, and the Gamagora rice variety has proven to be adaptive to climate change and has high productivity.
“The resilience of a nation’s human resources is highly dependent on the availability of food and infrastructure supporting food security,” said the Rector. “Efforts to bring about food security have been around for ages, and so do UGM’s dedication and determination in securing food availability for present and future generations.”
Prof. Ova also reported on the achievements of the university in 2022. She thanked all those who had contributed to the success of the university.
“We are advancing thanks to all parties and university leaders who always work hard, are adaptive and agile, and produce extraordinary works that are beneficial to UGM, the nation, and the world,” she said.
The annual awards given as part of the celebration were awarded to Agus Priyatno and Dr. Rimawan Pradiptyo (The Universitas Gadjah Mada Award) and the Governor of Bank Indonesia, Dr. Perry Warjiyo (The IX Hamengku Buwono Award).
On this occasion, the Director General of Forestry Planning and Environmental Management of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry gave a microlight/trike aircraft to UGM.
Author: Gloria
Photographer: Firsto