Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)’s main goal in international collaboration is to promote UGM’s existence and reputation as a global player in higher education. One of the strategies to achieve this goal is building thematic collaboration through university collaboration or consortium.
As the pandemic subsides, UGM welcomes and actively rebuilds the collaboration with many partners from all over the world in person. UGM believes that through a direct connection, stronger engagement could be established.
In the spirit of building an effective collaboration with the university’s partners, the Rector of UGM, Prof. Ova Emilia, together with the university and faculty management leaders (Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Cultural Sciences) visited six universities and two institutions in European countries from 26 October to 3 November 2023 beginning at the Czech Republic.
H.E. Kenssy Ekaningsih, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Czech Republic, welcomed UGM’s delegates. She hosted a welcoming dinner at Wisma Duta Indonesia.
In the ceremony, H.E. Ambassador Kenssy said, “A lot of potential collaboration that could be explored in Czech, and the Embassy will be very open to facilitating and connecting UGM to targeted partners in Czech.”
Visiting Palacky University
On 27 October 2023, the delegates visited Palacky University to explore more potential collaboration initiated by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences through the Erasmus+ Project and IISMA program.
The delegates were welcomed by JUDr. Mag. iur. Michal Malacka, Ph.D., MBA, Vice-Rector for Strategy and Regional Affairs, Statutory Representative of the Rector, together with other UPOL faculty members.
He said, “Good collaboration is not only in the paper, but the most important is the program implementation that will have an impact on both universities.”
After networking sessions exploring potential programs, the delegates have the opportunity to see the student hub for entrepreneurship development, including Digi2Health.
Visiting the University of Leiden (UL) and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) Netherlands
On 30 October 2023, following the alumni meeting at Den Haag on 29 October 2023, the rector and delegates visited the University of Leiden (UL) and Wageningen University and Research (WUR) Netherlands.
Starting at the UL, the President of the Executive Board, Professor Annetje Ottow, welcomed Prof. Ova Emilia at the Faculty Club after parallel faculty meetings.
Besides strengthening the existing collaboration, the agenda of visitation is signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Joint Research and Expertise Centre Agreement regarding Zebrafish Research.
The commitment of the two universities’ collaboration was tightened by signing the Letter of Intent (LoI) regarding the establishment of the Indonesia – Netherlands Universities Consortium on Sustainable Futures (INUCoST).
At the Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Sjoukje Heimovaara, President of the Executive Board WUR, welcomed the delegates and presented the WUR’s profile, followed by a presentation from the Dean of Education and the Dean of Research.
At the separate meeting groups, the delegates discussed and identified the potential of further development programs.
Visiting the University of Groningen (UG) and Aeres University of Applied Sciences
On 31 October, the delegates visited the University of Groningen (UG) led by Prof. Ova Emilia and Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Dronten, led by Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Finance, Prof Supriyadi.
The collaboration with UG has resulted in many strategic programs such as staff and student exchange, joint research, joint supervision, and double degree programs.
UGM and UG are aware that the existing programs should be escalated to the next level. Both universities agreed to build a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The focus of the discussions was the development of a joint Hub for the Future of Human Welfare, with its main aim to co-create sustainable innovations and solutions to pursue future human welfare from the pillars of education, research, and community outreach.
In the Hub, the focus will be on the following themes: Liveable Cities, Adaptive Natural Resources Management, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Equitable Global Health, and Accelerated Energy Transition.
At the Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Drs. Wil Bekkering, Dean of International Strategy, welcomed the delegates and introduced Aeres to all delegations.
Continuing with the acknowledgment from Prof Supriyadi, “UGM and Aeres have established an agreement with implementation program by faculty of animal sciences; however, it could be expanded to interdisciplinary collaboration that includes other agro-science faculty like Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, and Faculty of Forestry.”
The specific and effective discussion came up with 19 points to follow up, such as increasing the numbers of staff and student exchange, PEC project on food security, joint program (summer course, conference, guest lecture), joint research, project of cage-free poultry, and many more. After discussion, the delegates were invited to visit the Aeres Experimental Farms.
Visiting JANZZ Technology and the University of Zurich
On 1 November, UGM met and discussed the potential collaboration with JANZZ Technology, a private company in Switzerland that works in the field of technology and strategy development to fill in the gap between labor and employee needs.
Exploration and further strengthening collaboration with the University of Zurich were accomplished by parallel meetings with the respective faculty members the next day.
Further strengthening the already robust partnership between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences and UZH, the meeting in Switzerland delved into potential programs such as staff and student mobility initiatives, collaborative research endeavors, and joint academic programs.
Concluding the meeting, Prof Ova said, “One of the aims of this visitation is to invite reputable universities like the University of Zurich to collaborate in developing the Institute of Future Life in the New Capital City, Ibu Kota Negara (IKN) Nusantara and after this meeting, I look forward to a more comprehensive strategic collaboration between UGM and UZH not only for education but research and community service as well.”
The visit to UZH was welcomed by the President, Prof. Dr. Michael Schaepman, and several management and faculty members, and this became the end of the visitation series to Europe.
Author: Adhe (UGM Office of International Affairs)