The Open Senate Meeting for the 75th Anniversary and 15th Lustrum of Universitas Gadjah Mada was held on Thursday (Dec. 19) at Grha Sabha Pramana.
During the peak celebration of this Dies Natalis, several academics received the 2024 UGM Award. Among them was Professor Saiful Deni, who received the award for his contributions to community empowerment and poverty alleviation.
Professor Deni, a UGM alumnus currently serving as Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara (UMMU), expressed gratitude and motivation to continue making impactful contributions through his work.
“I thank UGM for this award and the UMMU community as a place to advance knowledge. I am pleased and feel responsible for maintaining this achievement,” said Professor Deni on Tuesday (Dec. 24).
After graduating with a Master’s in Administrative Sciences from UGM in 2004, Professor Deni pursued his career as an academic, conducting various research projects.
His publications often discuss North Maluku’s socio-cultural, geographic, and regional potential.
One of his journal articles, “Makayaklo Culture of the People of North Maluku: Teaching the Values of Building Solidarity and Social Integration,” explores how the culture of North Maluku has played an essential role in preserving moral values and traditions that are still upheld today.
In another piece of research, Professor Deni studied the geographic conditions as part of flood mitigation efforts for the Ternate government.
According to Professor Deni, this project, which has been carried out over the past two years, aims to prevent flooding and explore the potential of Ternate’s groundwater.
“This study has been highly beneficial to the local government in meeting the need for clean water, thus increasing the productivity and well-being of the community,” he explained.
He also researched the implementation of social assistance for poor communities in North Halmahera Regency.
This initiative improved basic education infrastructure and strengthened collaboration with the North Maluku government. Professor Deni emphasized that poverty alleviation requires the integration of various social, economic, cultural, and environmental dimensions.
“Community empowerment and poverty reduction are two interrelated aspects. From a public policy perspective, this approach aims to create independent, competitive communities capable of breaking the cycle of poverty,” he explained.
In his view, effective public policy must integrate these dimensions. Collaboration between the government, private sector, and the community is key to creating meaningful change.
His various works on the social and geographic conditions of North Maluku set him apart because they focused on an area that had not been extensively studied.
Each of his studies aims to improve the quality of life for the community through the selection of just policies. This has earned Professor Deni several accolades, including the 2024 UGM Award.
As an academic, Professor Deni hopes his work can continue to contribute ideas to society through research, teaching, and service. He is also committed to continuously developing his academic tradition and personal competence.
He hopes this award will inspire the younger generation to excel nationally and globally.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif
Photographer: Firsto