A delegation from the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Biology UGM) conducted a working visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Paramaribo, Suriname, on April 16-17, 2025.
The delegation consisted of the Biology UGM Dean, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, the Vice-Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, and the Vice-Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono.
During the visit, the delegation was received by the Chargé d’Affaires of KBRI in Suriname, Sadikin, along with the staff.
The meeting addressed several key agendas, such as promoting scholarship programs for Surinamese students, teachers, lecturers, and government staff to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Biology UGM.
“We discussed potential areas of cooperation, particularly in education and human resource development,” said Dean Daryono in a statement sent to journalists on Saturday, Apr. 18, 2025.
Following their visit to KBRI, he said the UGM delegation also had the opportunity to meet with Moertabat Wanica Sidik, a Javanese-descendant Member of Parliament.
He expressed his full support for enhancing cooperation efforts that can help prepare Suriname’s human resources, especially the younger generation of Indonesian descent, to occupy strategic positions in government and other sectors.
“Currently, there are at least three ministers and several directors of Javanese descent, some of whom are UGM alumni,” said Sidik.
In addition to visiting parliament members, Dean Daryono stated that the delegation met with Suriname’s Minister of Planning and Environment, Dr. Marciano Dasai, an alumnus of UGM’s Master’s and Doctoral programs in Architectural Engineering.
“Dr. Dasai is proof that Indonesians have contributed to Suriname. He is of Javanese descent,” he said.
He hopes that his visit to Suriname will strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Suriname, not only in education but also in the economic, social, and cultural sectors.
“We aim to open up opportunities for international networking in support of quality education and research,” said Dean Daryono.
It is known that more than 135 years ago, many Javanese people migrated to Suriname as contract laborers under the Dutch colonial government.
Some eventually returned to Indonesia, but many chose to settle permanently.
Today, the descendants of these Javanese migrants form an important part of Suriname’s social and political life, even though many are no longer fluent in the Javanese language.
The UGM delegation’s visit carried a mission and spirit of opening up collaboration in education and culture, and expanding to economic, industrial, and environmental sectors.
Conversely, Suriname is also known as a country with low carbon emissions and vast forest coverage.
In fact, there is one province whose entire territory consists of forests.
This presents great potential for cooperation in biodiversity, conservation, and climate change, including CO₂ capture, which is one of Biology UGM’s key strengths.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: Biology UGM