UGM and Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Austria have agreed to establish cooperation in education. The cooperation includes students and teaching staff exchange, research, and training program. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of cooperation was signed by UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., and Vice Rector for International Affairs of TU Wien, Prof. Dr. Hans Kaiser, at Leadership Room, UGM Main Office, Friday (5/2/2010).
UGM Rector welcomed the cooperation and expected that it can support implementation of each university as educational institutions to create a brighter future for the respective countries and the world. In that occasion, the Rector said that UGM not only produced qualified graduates academically, but also in terms of soft skills. “In the future, we target at some 15% of graduates to become job creators, who will gradually change the old perspective,†he said.
On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Hans Kaiser, very much appreciated UGM’s effort in producing graduates with entrepreneurial spirit. Hans said that in Austria most of the students still have traditional perspective, rely much on job opportunities in a company, and have no initiative to be entrepreneurs.
Further, Hans mentioned his interest in the UGM's Student Community Service Program (KKN). The man who is also a member of staff of United Nations University mentioned that KKN is very interesting as it sends students to regions to apply science directly. Together with the people, KKN students help improve people’s welfare. In connection with that, in July the United Nations University will send 25 Austrian students joining the Asean Study Program to follow KKN PPM EfSD (UGM's Community Empowerment Program Field Practice: Education for Sustainable Development) at UGM.