YOGYAKARTA- UGM Faculty of Geography currently continues to focus to become an international institution. This is done through the development of research, education and community service through the application of the science of Geography, especially in order to solve regional and environmental development problems. This was delivered by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Suratman, M. Sc, in his speech during the 47th anniversary ceremony of the Faculty on Wednesday (1/9).
"The 47th anniversary is one point that could lead Faculty of Geography towards a leading educational institution in Indonesia," Suratman said.
He emphasized that in the year 2010, international cooperation in education and research continues to grow. In education it started in 2004 with double degree program by the Master Program in Geo-Information for Disaster Planning and Risk Management in collaboration with ITC Enschede Netherlands. Currently, the same program has been developed and implemented by Master's in Coastal and Watershed Management Planning Program in collaboration with Chiba University, Japan and CUAS (Cologne University of Applied Science), Germany.
"This latest collaboration also involves consortium of 10 universities in the world, not just limited to the S-2 but also S-3 program and research cooperation," he said.
International cooperation in the field of education is in the form of staff development and student exchange and general lecture. Staff exchange program is an integral part of educational cooperation program, which is in line with a double degree program that has been lasting up to now.
"Student exchange program grows rapidly in 2010 marked by the arrival of many foreign students from Austria, Japan, Timor Leste, Germany and France," he said.
Meanwhile, many achievements have been gained by students, including becoming the runner-up of LKTI DIY (EGSA Team), the runner-up of LKTI Regional Yogyakarta and Central Java at UNS, national winner of the National Earth Challenge 2010 as well as second winner of GIS Innovation Challenge (GISIC) 2010.
On that occasion, UGM Vice Rector of Alumni and Business Development, Prof. Ir. Toni Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil, Ph.D, added that external dynamics nationally and internationally is very fast and began to move away from the U.S. to Asia. To survive and compete with other universities in Asia and the world, UGM must intensify cooperation and send students and faculty abroad.
"The dynamics and national and international competition are getting tougher, particularly in Asia so that UGM must be ready," Toni hoped.
Besides, UGM with seven other state universities internally looks for the best solution for the cancellation of Act of BHP by the Constitutional Court. With such condition, Toni also hoped that the entire UGM academic community would remain solid, both in Faculty and University levels.
"Although we are prepared for international competition, we do not forget to keep promoting the values of Pancasila, and the values of UGM as populist campus," he said.
The ceremony of the 47th anniversary of Faculty of Geography also presented a scientific speech by Dr. M.R. Djarot Sadharto Widyatmoko, M.Sc. It was also marked with the release of double degree graduate students to study abroad and handover of awards to outstanding students