Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Mappi Regency Government, South Papua, have agreed to collaborate in education, research, community service, and other areas of mutual interest.
This partnership is an extension of collaborations that have been ongoing since 2019, initially between the Mappi Regency Government and UGM’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by UGM’s Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, and the Mappi Regent, Kristosimus Yohanes Agawemu, on Monday, Mar. 3, 2025, at UGM’s Central Office.
The MoU reflects both parties’ commitment to providing broader access to education for the people of Mappi Regency, enabling them to contribute to regional development.
In his remarks, Dr. Sujito noted that this collaboration aligns with UGM’s mission as a national and progressive university actively involved in developing human resources across regions, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas.
“So far, 11 Papuan students are enrolled in Fisipol UGM, the Faculty of Forestry, the Faculty of Animal Science, the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, and the Faculty of Agriculture. One student has withdrawn. We will discuss involving more faculties moving forward,” said the UGM’s Vice-Rector.
Despite budgetary constraints in education, Dr. Sujito assured that UGM remains open to young Papuans who want to study at the university, offering academic support and scholarships, such as affirmative programs and the Indonesia Smart College Card (KIP-K), for eligible students.
He emphasized that higher education can drive economic growth, social welfare, and national competitiveness in the face of global uncertainties.
“We hope this program allows young people from Mappi Regency to access quality higher education and return to help develop their region,” he added.
Dr. Wawan Mas’udi, Dean of Fisipol UGM, who also attended the event, mentioned that out of the 10 Mappi students currently studying at UGM, four graduated in August and November 2024, while the remaining six are being monitored to ensure they complete their studies on time.
He highlighted the importance of this partnership in preparing skilled human resources who will eventually participate in Mappi’s governance.
He expressed hope that the collaboration between both institutions will become more productive and that UGM will continue to implement more extensive community empowerment programs in Papua.
Agawemu, who is running a program to produce 1,000 graduates by sending young people to various universities across Indonesia, emphasized the crucial role of higher education in improving human resource quality.
The program covers various fields essential for Mappi’s development, including education, health, engineering, and social sciences.
“Many young people need character development, and the local government must intervene. We believe that through university education, these young people will gain the confidence to face Indonesia’s Golden Era in 2045,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to UGM for embracing the people of Mappi by providing them with the opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies.
Agawemu also hopes that the program will eventually extend to postgraduate levels, enabling the Mappi community to benefit from higher education on a larger scale and producing future generations who will contribute to regional and national progress.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang
Photographer: Firsto