Expanding international collaboration in Southeast Asia, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) conducted a visit to Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), Timor-Leste, on Thursday (Feb. 12).
The visit discussed plans for signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering collaboration in academic curriculum, particularly in the History study program, joint research and community service, publication and research partnerships, as well as the promotion of arts and culture through research conducted by the Center for Arts and Culture involving students from various regions.
Head of the History Study Program, FIB UGM, Dr. Mutiah Amini, stated that the visit marked an initial step to open broader collaboration opportunities between the two institutions. According to her, as a public higher education institution in Timor-Leste, UNTL plays an important role in developing human resources in the country. Therefore, collaboration with UGM is expected to strengthen institutional quality in Timor-Leste.
“There are many opportunities for collaboration in research, communication, and teaching,” Dr. Amini said in a statement released on Friday (Feb. 20).
In addition, the presence of Kagama (Keluarga Alumni Universitas Gadjah Mada or UGM Alumni Association) Timor-Leste serves as a strategic bridge to expand and strengthen collaboration networks. Currently, UGM alumni in Timor-Leste hold important positions in government, higher education institutions, and industry. The established cooperation is expected to contribute to sustainable human resource development and quality improvement.
“Kagama in Timor-Leste can serve as a bridge between universities and society. Therefore, this can be specifically collaborated,” she explained.
Furthermore, Dr. Amini emphasized the importance of program sustainability and mutual commitment in realizing the planned cooperation. The collaboration is therefore expected not to stop at the planning stage but to become a concrete joint commitment to promote lasting peace and prosperity for both nations.
“The most important thing is how the sustainability of a program planned from the beginning can be ensured so that it can be realized together,” she said.
Through the visit, Dr. Amini believes this partnership can build inclusive and sustainable academic collaboration. The cooperation is also expected to strengthen historical and cultural ties between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, fostering a spirit of fraternity between nations.
Author: Diana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Documentation of FIB UGM