Professor Ova Emilia, MD, the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), received a visit from the Ministry of Education’s Higher Institution Centers of Excellence (PUATT) team on Tuesday (October 24).
The visiting team, led by Bagyo Mulyodiharjo and comprising two visitors and four accompanying team members, aimed to assess UGM’s proposed funding of Rp200 billion for PUATT activities in 2024.
Rector Ova Emilia expressed appreciation for the visit of the PUATT team to evaluate the proposal of the university’s PUATT program submitted to the ministry.
“We appreciate the funding opportunity provided for the PUATT program that we proposed,” stated the rector.
According to her, the program of excellence conducted by UGM, in collaboration with partner universities, involves researchers from multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary fields on the development of knowledge and the tri-dharma of higher education.
“We always emphasize that what we do in the tri-dharma of higher education can be a driving force and produce something that helps the government solve problems,” she explained.
Rector Emilia added that the PUATT program performed by UGM could serve as a means to strengthen the interconnection among scientific fields held by different universities.
“We want what we do to be enjoyed and felt beneficial by the public eventually,” she expressed.
Speaking to the press, Bagyo Mulyodiharjo stated that their visit to UGM was to follow up on the funding proposal for the PUATT activities submitted by UGM.
“Our goal in coming here is to improve the proposal so that it is well-received,” Mulyodiharjo mentioned.
Mulyodiharjo specified that one of the significant multi-year funding programs carried out by UGM is health autonomy and food security.
“For the theme of the PUATT program, UGM chose health autonomy and food security,” he highlighted.
To secure funding from PUATT, Bagyo indicated that currently, it is designated for five higher education institutions categorized as PTN-BH (state universities with legal entity status) and listed among the top 500 universities worldwide.
“Several universities have submitted proposals like UGM, UI, IPB, ITB, and Unair,” he clarified.
However, Mulyodiharjo emphasized that to obtain approval for funding through PUATT, UGM is required to partner with other higher education institutions across Indonesia.
“The evaluation criteria relate to tri-dharma, knowledge development, and supporting other universities,” he concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie