A delegation from the Hluboka nad Vltavou City Government, Czech Republic, conducted a working visit to the UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM) on Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025, to follow up on the twin cities (sister cities) cooperation with the Yogyakarta City Government.
This visit also discussed the follow-up to the Letter of Intent regarding the twin cities’ cooperation and the role of GIK UGM, which is expected to support the program’s agenda and study innovation and creativity development models for the younger generation in both countries.
Veronika Lachova, an official representative from the Czech Republic and CPO of the Yogyakarta-Hluboka nad Vltavou twin cities project, explained the reason behind her visit to GIK UGM, which she described as a highly innovative place that embodies the spirit of youth.
This spirit is reflected not only in the building itself but also in its various interesting activities and programs.
“I see a lot of potential for cooperation and collaboration,” she said.
The proposal for a collaboration between Indonesia and the Czech Republic’s twin cities project was positively welcomed by the CEO of GIK UGM, Dr. Alfatika Aunuriella Dini.
Dr. Dini stated that GIK UGM is open to collaborating with both city governments.
“We are very open to future cooperation,” she expressed.
She further explained that GIK programs provide a platform for innovation and creativity for students, UGM academics, and all stakeholders.
The establishment of GIK represents the implementation of sustainable technology in line with community service programs (KKN), which also refer to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“GIK UGM is strongly aligned with global sustainability goals (SDGs),” she stated.
Not alone, Lachova was accompanied by CNN Prima Czech Republic reporters Filip Mikolasek and Alexandra Hrdinova, who were covering Yogyakarta and UGM for future promotion in international media.
She mentioned that Indonesia and the Czech Republic have long-standing relations, particularly in student exchange programs.
“I often meet many Indonesian students studying in the Czech Republic,” she added.
Lachova hopes that the cooperation with GIK UGM can be realized soon, seeing many potential areas for collaboration, including student exchanges, entrepreneurship training, cultural exchange, and much more.
“I hope on my next visit we can meet again because seeing this beautiful building with its various potentials will make it easy for us to collaborate,” she concluded.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang
Photographer: Donnie