Yogya, KU
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) plans to become an educopolis campus, which is a campus with a conducive environmental condition for the learning process in the context of the development of interdisciplinary synergy and to be responsive to ecological issues. For that, UGM has planted trees, built pedestrians, and arranged the street vendors to small businesses that were relocated in accordance with the concept of an educopolis campus.
"With this arrangement, UGM will always give a fresh atmosphere to anyone who enters the campus," said Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D., in the Rector’s Report presented at the 2009 UGM Meeting in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of UGM. The event was held on Saturday (19/12), in Grha Sabha Pramana second floor.
It is said by the Rector, the concept of the campus arrangement set forth in the Master Plan Development (RIP) has been adapted to the UGM’s Strategic Plan 2002-2007 and 2008-2012, and refers to the previous plans. According to the Rector, this is done to follow the development of the Yogyakarta region, causing the adjustment of some campus characteristics, from previously being rural to having an urban nature with various consequences.
In this 17 page report, the Rector mentioned that UGM has managed to give students’ from poor families access to the S-1 and a diploma program. Assistance is given in the form of scholarships. The Category for scholarships includes BOP and educational assistance for children of the faculty and staff. In addition, UGM also provides scholarships for outstanding students. "The amount of scholarship funds is 18.7 billion," said the Rector. Other than that, more than 60% of the students in graduate program are supported by scholarships from agencies and a small number from students’ countries adding up the entire fund to 104.89 billion. "The source of scholarships for students of S1 and diploma comes from 63 institutions," he said.
The Rector also mentioned that having an international reputation is a positive impact for UGM on the number of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed between UGM and the international institutions. During the year 2009, UGM has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with 28 international universities from Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Egypt, Brazil, Namibia, Australia, the Netherlands, France, and the United States. "UGM has international activities with 59 countries in the form of cooperation agreements and the mobility of students, lecturers, researchers, and foreign workers," he explained.
The Rector added that international cooperation agreements have reached up to 342 from 42 countries and 14 international associations. Currently, there are 680 student participants in the degree program, 204 students participants in the non-degree program, 18 foreign teachers directly and indirectly, 23 foreign researchers, and 3 foreign workers. Therefore, the number of foreigners who follow education or served at UGM of December 2009 is 928.
In addition to the Rector’s report, a speech was also delivered by Prof. Ir. Wahyudi Budi Sediawan, S.U., Ph.D. with the theme "National Energy Provision: Problematic and Strategy". Professor of the Faculty of Engineering suggests the potential of nuclear energy. With the availability of safe utilization of technology, nuclear energy is a prospective option for Indonesia, both in the form of nuclear power plants or bio-nuclear refineries.
Furthermore Wahyudi said, the tendency of developed countries to increase the role of nuclear energy indicates that this energy is prospective. Still, upholding the mental attitude of safety in every activity needs to be held firmly by the Indonesian people. "The potential of nuclear energy to meet the future needs of national energy is big enough. However, the public concern over the potential dangers of nuclear power plants is still high despite the fact that the risks can be made very low and safe," he said.
In this occasion, the Rector also handed medals to the award recipients of the Hamengkubuwono IX Award in 2009, who are Dr. dr. P. Sudiharto, Sp.BS. and Prof.Dr. Ir. Soekotjo, M.Sc. Also present were Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Amien Rais, M.A, Chairman of UGM Alumni Association, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, the Chairman of Council of Professors, Prof. Drs. Suryo Guritno, M. Stats., Ph.D., and Chairman of the Academic Senate, Prof. Dr. dr. Sutaryo, Sp.A (K).