Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and PT Timah Tbk agreed to collaborate on the development of the mining and tin sector, as well as research collaboration, technological innovation, and strategic resource development.
This was outlined in the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the partnership on Friday (Feb. 21) at the UGM Campus.
Hendra Kusumawardhana, Human Resources Director of PT Timah Tbk, stated that this collaboration aims to enhance the competency of human resources in the mining sector.
He mentioned that PT Timah currently employs 4,082 workers, of whom about 2,700 are high school graduates.
He wants to improve the capacity of these employees through better education.
“For us, education is not just about sending employees to school but also ensuring that the knowledge gained can benefit the region because the people of Bangka Belitung are rich in mining resources but lack education in this field,” he explained.
Kusumawardhana emphasized that this collaboration with UGM aims to involve undergraduate and graduate students in research and development in the mining sector.
Additionally, Kusumawardhana mentioned that Indonesia currently holds around 80% of the world’s tin reserves, which remains an irreplaceable material for semiconductors.
He shared that tin mining in Bangka Belitung has been ongoing since the 1700s and was licensed during the Dutch colonial period.
“The reserves will eventually deplete, so we need to innovate and prepare for the future of this industry,” he stated.
UGM’s Vice Rector for Education and Teaching, Professor Wening Udasmoro, welcomed the collaboration between the two parties in human resource development.
According to her, UGM always strives to ensure that the knowledge developed is beneficial and sustainable for society, both in preserving nature and humanity.
UGM continues to expand the relevance of education to various aspects of life, including economics, culture, law, social issues, and poverty alleviation.
“In the new curriculum, UGM will launch five transdisciplinary study programs: Maritime, Visual Communication Design, Sustainability, Metallurgy, and Criminology, which are included in the new postgraduate programs,” she said.
In the field of community service, Professor Udasmoro stated that UGM students regularly participate in community service programs in various regions, including Bangka Belitung, which cover areas such as food security, energy, culture, and language.
Some of the work programs are conducted to support integrated agricultural programs and the use of technological innovations.
“We grow Gamagora rice to support food sovereignty and utilize biogas from cow dung for energy. We hope this program will be implemented in Bangka Belitung through this partnership,” she expressed.
Author: Bolivia Rahmawati
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Firsto