Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is building international research collaborations with several universities in Australia and the UK through Partnership in Research Indonesia and Melbourne (Prime) and UK-Indonesia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Science (UKICIS).
Apart from UGM, several Indonesian universities, namely Universitas Indonesia, Bandung Institute of Technology, IPB University, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, and Airlangga University, have also joined the programs. Cooperation among researchers from the three countries is expected to encourage international publications and improve the international reputation of Indonesian universities.
At the international symposium on Prime and UKICIS at the UGM Faculty of Engineering on Tuesday (28/3), Vice-Rector for Research, Business Development, and Cooperation of UGM, Ignatius Susatyo Wijoyo, said the international collaboration involving researchers from various parts of Indonesia, Australia, and the UK could encourage the advancement of science and technological innovation.
“The rich experiences of researchers from three countries are the key to the progress of science and technology in which they share and transfer knowledge and networks. I believe this forum will serve as a platform to exchange ideas among the participants, promoting further research and study collaboration leading to technological innovation,” he said.
Having one of the leading engineering faculties in Indonesia, UGM can develop research in energy, smart cities, environment, and biomaterials through its part in Prime and UKICIS.
“I am confident that the international symposium on Prime and UKICIS will provide useful outcomes and lay a strong foundation for future research and development cooperation between universities in Indonesia, Australia, and the UK,” he explained.
Dr. Sofwan Effendi, Director of Human Resources and Higher Education at the Ministry of Research and Technology, said the international research collaboration would encourage the development of human resources and research innovation in the country.
According to him, Indonesia’s research and innovation culture is currently lagging far behind that of neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. Indonesia’s global innovation index is currently ranked 75th out of 132 countries.
“It is still far behind Thailand and Malaysia, let alone Singapore,” he explained.
Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation of Universitas Indonesia, Dr. Nurtami, added international collaboration in research and education among researchers from Indonesia, Australia, and the UK could strengthen international recognition.
“This cooperation in education and research can have an impact on strengthening the position of universities at the international level,” she explained.
At the symposium, the researchers presented research results in health and social humanities in collaboration with researchers from Australia, one of which was the collaborative research among UI, UGM, Airlangga University, and Melbourne University on strengthening adolescent and young adult-friendly primary care services to improve health promotion in the campus environment.
A research team member, Dr. Indah Suci Widyahening from the UI Faculty of Medicine, said health problems on campus drove the research. It was found that more than 30 percent of UI first-year students were overweight and obese, and more than 25 percent had a history of high blood pressure. In addition, more than 50% of UGM graduates in one faculty were identified as having health problems when applying for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
Author: Gusti Grehenson