YOGYAKARTA- Friday (21/1) saw UGM signing partnership agreements with four colleges of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The four colleges, namely the Institute of Teacher Training and Education (IKIP) of Mataram, University of 45 Mataram, NTB University, and Stikes Yarsi of Mataram. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the use of resources in development is conducted by the Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D, and the Rector and Chairman of the other four institutions. On the occasion, UGM Rector accompanied by Senior Vice Rector for Administration, Finance, and Human Resource, Prof. Ainun Na'im, MBA, Ph.D., Executive Secretary, Drs Djoko Moerdiyanto, M.A, and Manager of Systems Management Engineering Master program(MST), Dr Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono.
Meanwhile, present from Mataram were Rector of IKIP Mataram, Dr H. Lalu Said Ruhpina, SH, M. Si, Rector of the University of 45 Mataram Drs. H.M. Sabidin Rifainy, S.H, M.H, M.M, Rector of the University of NTB, Ir.H.Soerono, M. Kes, M.M, and Chairman of Stikes Yarsi Mataram, Ns. H. Badrun Nadianto, S. Sos., M.Pd. The four university leaders were accompanied by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mataram College Foundation, Drs. H.Lalu Azhar.
According to Drs. H. Lalu Azhar, several cooperations would include capacity building of Mataram lecturers in the preparation of research proposals, preparation of textbooks, classroom management and learning technology.
"This includes the development of lecturer resources for studying at S2 and S3," said Lalu. He added, there will be development of engineering technology and science involving companies and partners in the framework of community service. There is also community entrepreneurship facilitation based on appropriate technology targeting 30 families based on the principle of Commodity Development.
"Of course we expect to have technical assistance from UGM for the application of the appropriate technology," Lalu explained, who is also an alumnus of UGM in 1962.
Meanwhile, Prof. Sudjarwadi welcomed the cooperation. He hoped that the colleges in NTB will be increasingly able to improve their quality in terms of lecturer, students and institutions. To improve quality, for example, UGM has conducted some strategies both internally and externally.
"Internal strategy for example, we encourage young doctors into play. In addition, there must be a strategy or national and international networking," said Prof. Sudjarwadi.
In the spirit that tomorrow should be better than the present, Prof Sudjarwadi emphasized the improvement of the quality of educators at UGM. The Rector also explained that the role and contribution of students are accommodated and became an integral part of UGM to progress.
"Through the programs we made for students, evidently many of them are doing well during their study time as well as after their graduation," said Sudjarwadi.