Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is one of the members of the ASEAN University Network Board of Trustees (AUN-BOT) and has been part of this network since its establishment in 1995.
AUN was established to address the region’s need to quickly develop regional identity and solidarity while promoting the development of ASEAN talents by creating a platform that allows leading universities in the area to collaborate.
As one of the AUN-BOT members, the Rector of UGM and university leaders always attend the AUN Rectors’ Meeting and AUN BOT Meeting to share thoughts and insights with other members to contribute to regional development.
UGM’s strong commitment to the AUN network is seen in UGM’s participation in various AUN thematic networks such as AUN-QA, AUN-BE, AUN/SEED-Net, AUN-HRE, AUN-USR&S, AUN-ACT, AUN-EEC, and others.
This year, the Rector of UGM and other university leaders attended the 14th AUN Rectors’ Meeting and the 38th AUN-BOT Meeting hosted by Universiti Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur on July 5 and 6, 2023, with the theme: “Changes in Global Higher Education and How Top Universities in ASEAN Respond.”
In this prestigious moment, Professor Ova Emilia presented and shared her thoughts on “Higher Education Transformation Strategies to Enhance the Quality of Human Resources.”
Starting with her thoughts about the disruption of higher education in the face of high industrial demand and societal functions, we should rethink the current higher education model.
She further said, “Success in the future will not be determined by a degree but by the potential and ability to learn, apply, and adapt.”
One of these abilities can be achieved by learning from “People.” She said that UGM, through the Student Community Service program, a compulsory course for UGM students, provides opportunities for students to work with societal problems, face reality, learn how to maintain a humanitarian approach and build networks for the future. Learning from the “People” will prepare students to be the future generation in a borderless world.
At the end of her presentation, Professor Ova Emilia concluded the various efforts that universities can make to strengthen the process of achieving superior human resources – people’s expectations in four points, namely first, improving the quality of educators through sustainable professional development, second, designing education systems and curricula that are relevant to future needs, through programs that empower skills, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, third, opening learning opportunities for students to develop their knowledge, skills, and personal character for sustainable human development, and fourth, establishing networks. (Adhe/OIA)