Aligning with its commitment as a pioneer among national higher education institutions, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) persistently evaluates and enhances the quality of its service.
Currently holding the 263rd position in the 2024 QS World University Ranking, UGM remains dedicated to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) milestones.
Recognizing the pivotal role of partnerships in advancing the three pillars of higher education, UGM orchestrated the Monitoring and Evaluation of Domestic Cooperation Partners for the academic year 2022-2023.
This monitoring and evaluation activity, conducted online and offline at UGM on Thursday (Jan. 18), was designed to assess and gather aspirations from partners, fostering mutual impact and benefit.
Professor Ova Emilia, the rector of UGM, conveyed gratitude to the partners who have forged working relationships, synergized efforts, and collaborated with UGM. These collaborations, a source of pride, exemplify trust in working together towards improving lives.
“This synergistic relationship is indeed the foundation for growing together between UGM and various partners,” she expressed.
Emphasizing UGM’s commitment to synergizing the potentials of each party, the rector highlighted the university’s aspiration to be a trusted partner rather than a distant ivory tower.
The achievements, such as securing the 263rd position in the QS World Ranking in 2024, are a testament to these collaborative efforts, with the ongoing ambition to break into the top 200.
“Of course, there will be many challenges, and we need to work hard for it. Nothing is impossible if we can work on it together,” she affirmed.
UGM’s commitment extends beyond accolades to continuous improvement in various programs and SDGs. This commitment allows partners to contribute to diverse programs through well-planned collaborations.
“We map and monitor together so that the expected results can emerge. Therefore, today’s event, monitoring and evaluation, provides an opportunity for us to interact to get input so that what we initiate through cooperation will produce good results for both parties,” the rector said.
“May our collaboration be stronger, sustainable, and impactful for performance and productivity improvement.”
Professor Puji Astuti, the Director of Partnerships and Global Relations, expressed gratitude for the significant participation, with at least 224 participants joining the online monitoring and evaluation activity through Zoom.
She hoped this forum would reinforce synergy and serve as a constructive means to evaluate the cooperation over the past two years.
Several proud achievements have been attained through collaborations with strategic partners. In 2023, UGM received four awards from cooperation programs, reflecting successful government, industry, and international partnership endeavors and reporting UGM’s cooperation to the Ministry of Education.
“All of this is inseparable from our efforts to build together, build the nation, and synergize what is needed and what is provided by partners from all over Indonesia,” Professor Astuti acknowledged.
UGM, standing at the 263rd spot in the global World University Ranking, signifies Indonesia’s quality education.
In line with SDGs, where over 1,500 universities worldwide vie for the top 100, UGM secures a position in the top 100 for categories like no poverty, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, and life below water.
“This is certainly the result of collaboration with all of you as partners for cooperation in building the nation in sustainable education,” she explained.
Professor Astuti further shared that over the past five years, UGM has engaged in more than 2,000 collaborations annually, with significant interactions spanning government agencies, industries, universities, and others.
This illustrates that the collaborative spirit extends beyond academics to enhance the welfare and progress of Indonesian society, covering regions from the easternmost to the westernmost parts of Indonesia.
“This is certainly in line with the mandate that as a national university, UGM is not only focused in Yogyakarta and its surroundings but also contributes to the entire Indonesia,” she concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie