Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and PT Botika Teknologi Indonesia officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday (Jul. 17) at the UGM Central Office’s Executive Meeting Room.
This strategic agreement marks a joint effort to strengthen collaboration in developing artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital solutions, particularly in the area of information services and digital transformation within the university.
The partnership builds on previous collaborations, including the recent launch of LISA (Lean Intelligent Service Assistant), an AI-based virtual assistant that is now part of the services at UGM’s Integrated Service Unit (ULT) in the Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM), which was inaugurated earlier this month.
UGM Vice-Rector for Research, Business Development, and Cooperation, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, expressed his appreciation for the joint initiative with PT Botika. He emphasized that the collaboration goes beyond service innovation; it is also a strategic step toward building an AI-based research and education ecosystem at UGM.
Dr. Hadmoko emphasized the vital role of industry players, such as Botika, in accelerating technological adoption and aligning university research outputs with real-world needs.
“Not long ago, I interacted with LISA and asked who the UGM Rector was. It responded correctly. That was a valuable learning experience for AI development in an academic setting,” he said.
Dr. Hadmoko also noted that UGM has several initiatives, such as the Innovative Academy and startup development programs, that provide opportunities for further collaboration between the university and industry.
These programs serve as platforms for interdisciplinary student entrepreneurship initiatives. With the support of industry partners like PT Botika, the innovation ecosystem is expected to grow more rapidly and have a broader impact, both nationally and globally.
“We need to push AI not just for learning but also for research and innovation. This partnership can open up major opportunities, including involving students in program development, mentorship, and even joint curriculum design,” he added.
CEO of PT Botika, FA Puwara Anindita, shared his optimism about the future of this partnership. He sees the implementation of LISA at UGM as a promising starting point, given the wide-ranging benefits of AI for educational services and institutional branding.
Anindita also identified significant opportunities to integrate AI into the university’s communication strategies, making them more responsive, interactive, and adaptive to the needs of the digital generation.
“We believe LISA has great potential, not only to answer general inquiries but also to support students like a personal mentor, even assisting with technical tasks such as assignments and theses,” he explained.
Anindita further expressed hope that the collaboration between Botika and UGM will help shape a future generation ready to compete on a global scale by adopting cutting-edge technology.
He believes that UGM has taken a strategic step by opening up space for AI in Indonesia, where such opportunities remain limited.
“UGM has made a commendable move by embracing AI development, which is still very much in its early stages in Indonesia,” he said.
The MoU will be followed up through relevant units within UGM, including the Bureau of Digital Transformation. The collaboration between the two institutions is expected to make a significant contribution to the university’s digital transformation, bringing advanced technology into academic practices and public services that are smarter, more efficient, and more human-centered.
As a national university with a strong commitment to innovation and community service, UGM continues to play an active role in bridging collaboration between the education sector and industry to produce excellent human resources equipped to meet the demands of the digital era.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian