Universitas Gadjah Mada's (UGM) Faculty of Geography held strategic partnership with University of Cologne, Germany, in the study of urbanization and megacities. One realization has been in the joint fieldwork in Jakarta with students of Coastal Area and Watershed Management master's program in Faculty of Geography from 13-24 March.
The Faculty's Head of International Cooperation, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, M.Sc., said that the Faculty established partnership with the Department of Geography, University of Cologne, since 2005. The cooperation was put into realization in the joint-education programme in master's programme and summer school, and sandwich programme for doctorate level as well as guest lecture. “Meanwhile, the joint fieldwork is focused on flood studies in urban areas, waste management and clean water management,†said Danang on Friday (26/3).
Apart from the joint fieldwork, the University of Cologne's delegation led by Prof. Dr. Frauke Kraas from Department of Geography, also gave a general lecture at UGM'S Graduate School on Tuesday, 23 March 2010, attended by over 78 lecturers and students in S-1, S-2, and S3 levels, both from UGM and outside.
The main theme of the event opened by Dean Prof. Dr. Suratman, M.Sc, was Urban Geography, particularly on Urbanization and Megacities in Indonesia and South-East Asia. This theme has become a vital issue since urbanization became a global issue, especially in megacities.