Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Secretariat General of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on constitutional studies through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The signing took place on Friday (Jul. 4) at the Leadership Meeting Room, UGM Central Office. This initiative marks a significant step in aligning the university’s three core mandates, education, research, and community service, with national institutional development.
“We express our gratitude to the MPR Secretariat for their trust, as we believe universities should be empowered as spaces where Indonesian thought can flourish,” said UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia.
The MoU will remain in effect for five years and will be followed by concrete collaborative programs, particularly with the UGM Faculty of Law (FH UGM). The scope of cooperation includes education and training programs, academic studies, journal publications, as well as the organization of seminars and discussions on constitutional matters.
“With 18 faculties and two graduate schools, UGM can contribute multidisciplinary perspectives to support national policy development, including on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence regulations and their ethical implications,” Professor Emilia added.
As part of the MoU implementation, UGM and the MPR Secretariat agreed to prepare follow-up cooperation agreements at both the faculty and university levels. UGM also encourages student participation in the partnership through internships, research, and civic leadership training.
“Our current focus is to ensure graduates are not only job-ready but also capable of creating jobs. Internships are therefore a key component in strengthening students’ capacity,” said Professor Emilia.
Secretary General of MPR RI, Siti Fauziah, welcomed the collaboration and emphasized the importance of academic contributions to MPR’s constitutional responsibilities. She noted that although the role of MPR has evolved within the state structure, academic input remains essential.
“We are proud to sign this MoU today and hope that MPR’s collaboration with UGM can grow stronger across the areas outlined,” she said.
Fauziah added that while MPR has previously worked with UGM, this agreement expands the scope of collaboration beyond FH UGM to include other faculties as well.
She expressed hope that the partnership would soon yield tangible benefits, not only for MPR but also for the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representative Council (DPD), which also require academic input.
“Insights from universities and the public are vital for the development of our constitutional system, not only for MPR but for all members of parliament,” she concluded.
As a national university upholding the values of populism, independence, and sustainability, UGM reaffirms its commitment to providing knowledge-based solutions that serve the public interest and national advancement.
Through this collaboration, UGM strengthens its role in shaping democratic, inclusive, and sustainable governance, contributing to the development of a just, prosperous, and civilized Indonesia.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographer: Firsto