Head of the UGM International Affairs Office, Dr. Ir. Rahmat A. Sriwijaya, received the visit of senior professors from the University of Leipzig, Prof. Dr. Evelin Witruk, Friday (8/1). On that occasion, the two agreed to continue to develop the cooperation they have forged previously.
The lecturer of UGM Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Istiti, who participated in the meeting, said that the collaboration between UGM and Leipzig University, Germany, actually has been running since 2001. However, the cooperation is still limited to only the Faculty of Psychology. "For the MoU in the future, the Liepzieg University wishes to cooperate with three faculties. In this meeting it is agreed that the cooperation will involve UGM Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Psychology while the Leipzig University involves their Faculty of Bio-Science, Medicine, and Faculty of Orientalists," said Istiti in Stana Parahita Room.
In addition to student exchange, the cooperation has been implemented both in the sending of lecturers and academic activities. This cooperation will benefitboth sides. "Among other developments of the sciences in UGM. (The cooperation) with the Faculty of Psychology has been running for a quite long time. Presently, both of them develop the activities to Biodance and Art Therapy," said Istiti.
The Faculty of Medicine has the same expectations from this cooperation. Before the meeting, Prof. Evelin Witruk is able to visit The Children Section of Dr. Sardjito Hospital and took a look of bioethics in UGM Faculty of Medicine. "Although there are also possibilities for cooperation in other areas, but the cooperation in bioethic field is expected to help students of UGM Faculty of Medicine to be able to develop themselves so that a student Faculty of Medicine not only master the skill, but also interpersonal relations, i.e. relationship between doctors and patients," he added.
Dr. Kwartarini Wahyu Yuniarti added that the cooperation with the Faculty of Psychology of Leipzig University is the earliest cooperation. During the three-year cooperation, they received a grant of funds from Asia Link. With these funds, once a year UGM lecturers conduct workshops in Leipzig with different themes. "Together with colleagues from Sri Lanka, once we have raised the theme of disaster, as both Indonesia and Sri Lanka at that time were affected by the earthquake and tsunami. As for this year, we collectively want to discuss Biodance and Painting Therapy," said Kwartarini.