Universitas Gadjah Mada along with University of Indonesia (UI) and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) have agreed to establish cooperation in infrastructure development. Memorandum of cooperation agreement was signed by UGM Rector, Prof. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., and UI Rector, represented by Vice Rector for Research, Development, and Industrial Cooperation, Sunarji, S.E, M.M, and ITB Rector, represented by Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Wawan Gunawan A. Kadir., M.S., Thursday (28/6) in the Senate Hall of UGM. The MoU signing was witnessed by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Hatta Rajasa, as well as a number of UGM senior officials.
UGM Rector said that UGM, UI, and ITB have agreed to cooperate in terms of infrastructure development. This is done in order to encourage the Masterplan on Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3I) in infrastructure which is progressive and equitable. "This is a tough job for Higher Education to contribute to think about education in the field of infrastructure," Pratikno explained.
Pratikno added that cooperation with UI and ITB will also be conducted in the area of progressive infrastructure management research and justice and community service (KKN). "In terms of dissemination and exchange of information between universities and government, it is expected that it can support the government to make data-based policy," he said.
Pratikno hoped the cooperation can bring Indonesian people together into a strong, dignified, independent and active country in the international world. "Hopefully, this cooperation could be improved in the future in applicative level and could give benefits to the community and the nation," he concluded.
Similar statement was also expressed by UI Vice Rector. He expected that this cooperation can provide real benefits to the Indonesian community.
"This partnership is an extension of the collaboration that has been done before. We expect this could be further enhanced to provide input to the government to benefit Indonesian the people," he explained.
Meanwhile, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation of ITB, Prof. Dr. Wawan Gunawan A. Kadir, M.S, also expressed similar hopes. He hoped that the cooperation conducted is able to build the nation in accordance with the ideals. "This cooperation is expected to produce something useful in the future. The cooperation is not only established right now, but also be continued sustainably," he said.