Dozens of UGM Board of Professors (DGB UGM) members are conducting a week-long work visit to Papua and South Papua from Jul. 9-15, 2024. Organized under the name “Professors Go to Frontiers,” they aim to build collaboration in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Papua and South Papua.
The Chair of DGB UGM, Professor Baiquni, stated in a press release sent to journalists on Tuesday, Jul. 9, 2024, that this visit is part of educational activities and community service in collaboration with the UGM Alumni Family (Kagama).
They will share the professors’ knowledge and expertise through seminars and public lectures, visit regions for sustainable development, and gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the areas visited.
“We want the professors to go down from the mountain and work at the grassroots level, not just in the ivory tower of the campus. They should develop the community where they live, working together with the people to understand and develop participatory action research,” said Professor Baiquni.
Professor Baiquni acknowledged that the long journey to the frontier regions is part of implementing the Tri-dharma of Higher Education, acquiring knowledge, and building experience.
He emphasized that professors play a role in helping students become accustomed to integrating the dimensions of time and expertise as part of the learning process and applying this knowledge to experience.
“One of the keywords that must be prepared to face rapid technological and societal changes is education. Education should focus on human strengths and adaptations because, in this era, computers and digital technology are far superior, so humans do not need to memorize everything. Therefore, human strength can be focused on only human abilities, such as communication, leadership, curiosity, and resilience,” Professor Baiquni stated.
According to UGM Professor of Psychology Koentjoro, the professors are expected to develop ideas that benefit the university and the nation through this community service program and work visits to Papua and South Papua.
They are also expected to become pioneers in maintaining integrity, developing values, and implementing them in campus life and national identity.
The professors will also present materials on border area development, appropriate technology, economic improvement, health, and human resources.
The locations to be visited include the Papua Governor’s Office, the Jayapura Mayor’s Office, the Jayapura Regent’s Office, Cendrawasih University, various government offices in Jayapura, several private universities in Jayapura, the South Papua Governor’s Office, the Merauke Regent’s Office, government offices in Merauke, Musamus University, the Boven Digoel Regent’s Office, and field visits.
Some of the topics discussed include the utilization of Papua’s ant nest herbal plant as a cancer therapy supplement by Professor Supriatno, an introduction and tips for cultivating Papua orchids for in situ and ex-situ conservation by Professor Endang Semiarti, agricultural livestock development by Professor Ali Agus, solutions for addressing educational gaps in health and medicine in eastern regions by Professor Budi Yuli Setianto, and the topic of Papua’s food economy by Professor Catur Sugiyanto from the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business.
Professor Catur Sugiyanto, as the team leader, conveyed that the professors who arrived first, coordinated by Professor Ali Agus, will be active in Merauke.
Meanwhile, another group of professors led by Professor Agustinus Supriyanto will work in Boven Digoel Regency.
“The other team, led by Professor Ambar Pertiwiningrum, will head to Jayapura with eight professors from various disciplines, aiming for community service in remote and border areas,” Professor Sugiyanto explained.
Author: Heru Sutrisno
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang