Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the National Archives of Indonesia (ANRI) are strengthening their collaboration in archival development.
This was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Rector of UGM, Professor Ova Emilia, MD, and the Acting Head of ANRI, Imam Gunarto, on Friday (October 13) at Universitas Gadjah Mada.
The scope of this collaboration includes organizing the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) activities, empowering higher education archival institutions, developing human resources’ archival competencies, saving, preserving, and improving access to static archives, as well as conducting collaborative research and scientific studies.
Additionally, seminars, conferences, workshops, and the organization of the national archival information system and the national archival information network within the archival information system cluster will be established.
Acting Head of ANRI stated that ANRI and UGM have long maintained close cooperation. Many achievements have been accomplished, such as the collaboration in historical development undertaken by UGM historian Sartono Kartodirdjo.
UGM was the first university to establish an archival diploma program in Indonesia. Furthermore, it initiated the establishment of university archives and pioneered archival development in other universities.
“As we advance, our challenges become increasingly complex, especially regarding digitalization. Therefore, we need UGM’s assistance and collaboration in archival development,” Imam Gunarto said. He added that ANRI is open to using archives for MBKM, student research, and internships.
UGM’s Rector expressed gratitude for the trust placed in UGM to strengthen the ongoing cooperation. The established collaboration has generated various significant outcomes for UGM.
“Currently, at UGM, there is a reorganization where university archives are positioned as learning resources, equal to the status of libraries,” she explained.
Rector Ova Emilia highlighted that through the agreed-upon collaboration, there will be greater opportunities for the development of archival knowledge.
“We hope that after this MoU, more positive activities can be carried out promptly, such as MBKM, research, and more,” she added.
During the occasion, ANRI and the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences signed an agreement on the management of static archives, academic quality improvement, and human resource development in archiving.
The signing was performed by Rini Agustiani, ANRI’s chief secretary, and Professor Setiadi, the dean of the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences.
Author: Ika
Photographer: Firsto