Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance human resource competencies and share laboratory facilities.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at the UGM Auditorium of the Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory (LPPT UGM) by the UGM Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching, Professor Wening Udasmoro, and the Rector of Lambung Mangkurat University, Professor Ahmad Alim Bachri.
In her welcoming speech, Professor Udasmoro stated that the primary goal of higher education is the societal and global benefits of research.
LPPT UGM is now focused on overseeing all research and is divided into four categories: general science and technology laboratories, specialized science and technology laboratories, integrated science and technology laboratories, and social humanities laboratories.
“There’s a reason for dividing them into several categories. For example, when discussing mining and forests, we often focus on the science and technology issues but overlook the humanitarian aspects, resulting in less impactful outcomes. This is where the role of the Social Humanities Laboratory becomes crucial,” said Professor Udasmoro.
With the collaboration between UGM and ULM, Professor Udasmoro hopes that new channels of knowledge and research will emerge, bringing both institutions to a cutting-edge perspective in research management across many fields.
“Overall, we warmly welcome this collaboration. In the future, we might form a consortium with other universities in Kalimantan, not just ULM, to research specific aspects that we can advance to a higher level from Indonesia so that the global community can feel the benefits of the research,” she added.
Rector Bachri noted that ULM is one of the Public Service Agency (BLU) universities in Kalimantan. Although it lags behind UGM in many achievements, it has significant potential for development.
He mentioned that ULM is managing a mangrove or wetland research center in Kota Baru Regency.
He continued that this research center will cover an area of 621 hectares and will be managed under the academic support unit (UPA) for wetland areas.
“This research center will be unique in Indonesia, and we invite UGM to assist ULM in implementing collaborative research in the field of biological development in these wetland areas,” Rector Bachri said.
Additionally, Rector Bahri mentioned that ULM is also developing a Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) spanning 1,617 hectares that requires support from UGM to optimize the research process at the site for the nation’s benefit.
“Let’s work together to develop research and technology that can provide tangible contributions to society,” Rector Bahri concluded.
Also present with the Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching at UGM were the Director of Research, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations, Manager of Integrated Lab Management, Head of LPPT UGM, and the Rector and staff of Lambung Mangkurat University.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang
Photographer: Firsto