Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and PT PAL Indonesia have agreed to collaborate, marking an important step in bridging collaboration between industry and academia.
This collaboration is established in education, research, and community service, as announced at the SGLC Building of UGM’s Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM) on Tuesday (Sep. 24).
In the memorandum of understanding signed by UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, and President Director of PT PAL Indonesia, Dr. Kaharuddin Djenod, this partnership is expected to promote the progress of both parties by enhancing student competencies while also encouraging the commercialization of campus research into industry.
“This collaboration will not only provide deeper insights into the industrial world but also enrich practical knowledge, which will be immensely useful for students’ future careers,” said Professor Emilia.
The rector expressed her gratitude to PT PAL Persero for fostering this collaboration, which includes educational programs such as internships and joint research with several faculties at Universitas Gadjah Mada.
“This long-standing partnership, I believe, has been nurtured through the role of alumni working at PT PAL Persero,” she stated.
Professor Emilia mentioned that many UGM alumni are pursuing careers at PT PAL Indonesia, hailing from faculties such as Law, Engineering, Economics and Business, etc.
“UGM certainly offers many professionals to PT PAL, aiming to build synergy and collaboration, with the hope of creating mutual benefits for both parties,” she added.
The signing of this MoU was part of the “PAL Goes to Campus” series of events at UGM. The event featured various engaging activities, including a Leader Talk by Dr. Kaharuddin Djenod, a mini defense and maritime energy exhibition, and a Career Coaching Clinic with PT PAL.
Dr. Djenod acknowledged that two-thirds of Indonesia’s territory consists of maritime areas. Unfortunately, 95 percent of the maritime economic potential is currently going abroad, leaving Indonesia with only 5 percent.
Therefore, he invited the entire UGM community to collectively reclaim the economic and independence potentials within Indonesia’s maritime sector.
He emphasized that it is time to harness and maximize these potentials for the prosperity of the Indonesian people.
This has become a key message from both the current president and the president-elect who will be inaugurated on Oct. 20, 2024, as Article 33, Paragraph 3 of the 1945 Constitution serves as the central theme for all processes and objectives of Indonesia’s development.
“Hopefully, PT PAL Indonesia, together with UGM, can make a real and significant contribution toward the rise of a civilization that leads to our shared goal, Indonesia Emas 2045,” he explained.
During the Leader Talk session, Dr. Djenod inspired the audience with his vision for the advancement of Indonesia’s maritime civilization and emphasized its importance to the younger generation.
He stressed that students need to understand the significance of innovation, dedication, and implementation in advancing technology to bring progress to Indonesia.
“PT PAL is proud to offer UGM students the opportunity to gain deeper insights into the industrial world through internships and research programs at our company,” he concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afif
Photographer: Donnie