Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Sulzer Indonesia on Friday (June 19) in the Rector’s Guest Room at the UGM Central Building. The partnership covers education, research, community service, and human resource development. President Director of PT Sulzer Indonesia, Joko Sutopo, was welcomed by Professor Puji Astuti, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations, UGM.
The collaboration includes potential internship opportunities and the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Scholarship, which is expected to enhance academic excellence by providing financial assistance to students in science and engineering disciplines, with priority given to Mechanical Engineering students.
Sutopo explained that the partnership aims to identify and recruit human resources with diverse characteristics and competencies. Previously, Sulzer Indonesia had established collaborations with other universities, including Universitas Indonesia and Bandung Institute of Technology. Expanding these partnerships is expected to attract a broader range of talents.
“I see that graduates from different universities possess distinct characteristics. I need a combination of those qualities within my organization so that it does not become too homogeneous. I need diversity and fresh perspectives,” he said.
Professor Puji Astuti, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations, welcomed the initiative. She emphasized that internship programs enable companies to recruit truly competent employees. At the same time, students gain insight into the programs offered by companies and can assess how well they align with their academic backgrounds.
Beyond opportunities for students, Professor Puji also highlighted the possibility of collaboration involving UGM lecturers and academic staff.
“As a higher education institution, we continuously adjust our curriculum to meet industry needs. We would be pleased to be involved, so that when lecturers gain exposure to real-world cases in the field, they can incorporate those experiences into their teaching,” she said.
She further noted that several companies have previously submitted their business challenges and case studies for research at the university. Through such collaborations, UGM lecturers can strengthen their applied expertise while companies can identify promising students for future recruitment through talent scouting.
As part of the partnership, Sulzer Indonesia is opening broad opportunities for students interested in internships or fieldwork programs. Sutopo also explained the potential for cooperation related to technical issues faced by clients. Sulzer has frequently engaged universities as independent third parties to provide neutral assessments, and UGM could play a similar role.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: Firsto