Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, boasts natural, cultural, and historical assets that can serve as substantial resources for tourism development.
Therefore, collaboration among various parties is essential to develop tourism attractions sustainably.
This point was emphasized during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu, University Secretary, and the Regent of Ende, Dr. Agustinus G. Ngasu, last Friday (Aug. 30), at the UGM Central Office.
Regent Ngasu stated that Ende Regency has significant tourism potential that needs to be developed, thus requiring collaboration with the UGM Center for Tourism Studies (Puspar UGM).
“In addition to tourism, there are many other areas we can work on together,” said the regent, a medical doctor.
In the health sector, the regent noted that Ende Regency is currently experiencing a shortage of medical personnel, particularly medical specialists. This shortage has made it difficult for hospitals to provide optimal healthcare services, even though the community desperately needs quality healthcare.
“Perhaps UGM can assist by placing medical students undergoing their internship in Ende,” Dr. Ngasu requested.
Furthermore, he highlighted other potential areas for collaboration with UGM. Ende Regency is implementing a Ministry of Agriculture program in the plantation sector to cultivate red and elephant ginger across 200 hectares over the next five years.
The ginger produced by local farmers has already been exported to Dubai and Europe, with the next target being the American market.
“I am confident that with UGM’s assistance, Ende ginger can reach America,” Dr. Ngasu expressed enthusiastically.
The success of ginger cultivation contrasts with perennial crops in the plantation sector, such as cocoa.
“Twenty years ago, the governor launched a planting movement, but after that, there was no replanting,” he explained.
The harvest will inevitably decline without replanting due to the plants’ age and susceptibility to pests. He hopes UGM can provide training and education to farmers to modernize plantation management.
In addition, Dr. Ngasu also mentioned the potential of Ende Regency’s fisheries and marine sector.
“Our lobsters have already reached the Japanese market, but we are facing challenges in expanding due to transportation issues,” he explained. This is due to inefficient distribution channels.
He stated that marine products must first be sent to Labuan Bajo before being exported from Ende, even though cold storage facilities provided by the Ministry of Agriculture are already in use.
This potential should be considered since fisheries and marine resources remain key contributors to Ende Regency’s revenue.
Regent Ngasu concluded his speech by requesting that UGM send students for the KKN program in Ende, as students had been placed there in previous years. He mentioned that the local community highly regards KKN UGM students for their ability to engage with residents.
“The people around Lake Kelimutu greatly appreciate the presence of UGM KKN students, and we would be delighted if there were placements in Ende again,” he concluded.
Responding to the regent’s remarks, Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu, University Secretary, stated that UGM, through Puspar UGM, which has a solid reputation in tourism development at local, national, and international levels, is ready to collaborate and assist in tourism development in Ende Regency.
“UGM thanks the Government of Ende Regency for their trust in this partnership proposal, and we hope that the existing potentials can be synergized to bring mutual benefits,” said Dr. Tonralipu.
The University Secretary added that UGM’s knowledge and technology should benefit all regions in Indonesia, not just Yogyakarta. He also mentioned that UGM is open to collaborating with faculties, study programs, or research centers, as this is a tangible contribution UGM can make to national development.
“We will gather several PICs (persons in charge) to discuss the points raised by the regent, and we will further detail them through several cooperation agreements,” he concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographer: Firsto
Post-editor: Afif