Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have agreed to collaborate in education and innovative research to advance knowledge, research, innovation, and technology in both countries.
Additionally, both universities are committed to promoting sustainable city development to support the success of Indonesia’s Nusantara Capital City (IKN) project in East Kalimantan.
This was conveyed by UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia during a press conference at the UGM Senate Hall on Monday (Sep. 2) following a visit from the NUS President.
Rector Emilia mentioned that the collaboration between UGM and NUS has reached the stage of expert discussions and drafting proposals from both parties.
Rector Emilia explained that UGM and NUS have successfully brought together experts and interdisciplinary academics from leading universities to discuss and formulate research and academic agendas to develop a modern and sustainable city.
“By focusing on sustainable development and the management of IKN, we aim to synergize government policies with academic innovations and practical solutions to ensure that the development of IKN aligns with the principles of sustainability, efficiency, and inclusivity,” said the rector.
According to her, this collaboration is expected to contribute to overcoming knowledge acquisition and policy-making challenges, particularly in balancing development and conservation, to build a sustainable environment for the future.
The development of IKN must include biodiversity restoration programs as a critical foundation for establishing climate regulations.
Several collaborative research initiatives will address the future impacts of development, including improving air quality, water management, and microclimate regulation in IKN.
Enhancing environmental quality will significantly improve the quality of life, including health and education, and foster stronger community engagement.
“This, in turn, will contribute to the development of a sustainable city in the future, including heat resilience among the population,” Rector Emilia explained.
In addition to providing input on the development of IKN, UGM and NUS have also agreed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences between university experts and government officials.
They will also promote innovation and research related to the development and management of the new city by leveraging academic resources and technology.
This collaboration will prioritize sustainable development that considers environmental issues. Rector Emilia mentioned that UGM advocates for ecological restoration and reforestation in the IKN area.
“Once that is underway, we will move on to the next research stage,” Rector Emilia added.
NUS President, Professor Tan Eng Chye, expressed his pleasure in collaborating with UGM. He noted that one of the research topics between UGM and NUS focuses on addressing climate change and its solutions.
Moreover, Professor Tan felt honored that NUS was involved in the research process to develop IKN.
“We hope to collaborate with UGM to see how our combined perspectives can help clarify what we are all striving for,” Professor Tan stated.
The NUS President further elaborated on the collaboration between UGM and NUS. At least five experts from NUS will work with UGM’s Faculty of Geography to find solutions to regional and global climate change.
Additionally, NUS will utilize its program, NUS Cities, to tackle the urbanization challenges that IKN will face.
“We hope this joint research will benefit IKN,” said Professor Tan.
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson