Yogya (KU) – Universitas Gadjah Mada and Tarakan Municipal Government, East Kalimantan, on Monday (7/6) signed an MoU on the implementation of a duty of the Higher Education to serve regions as required by the Tri Dharma motto. The signing was conducted by UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., and Tarakan Mayor, Udin Hianggio, B.Sc.
The Rector said that the signing is a form to realize UGM vision to dedicate itself for the national interest and welfare through partnership with regional governments. “This cooperation also helps UGM to implement its vision and spreads UGM values to regions throughout Indonesia,” he said.
Sudjarwadi added that the MoU also opened an opportunity for both to improve the society through more effective utilization of natural resources. “The abundance of natural resources should be utilized in visionary manner, using our knowledge. In addition to the economic improvement of Tarakan, UGM will also support better governance system and organization,” he added.
Meanwhile, Udin Hianggio explained that the cooperation with UGM would support the implementation of good governance in Tarakan. UGM's knowledge is expected to help their natural resources utilization. “Our region has 120 million tons of petroleum and coal supply. We haven’t managed the potentials optimally in an attempt to secure them for the next generation,” he said. The abundant natural resources are utilized for social welfare, however, the limited human resources hamper the management of those resources.