The complexity of challenges in national and global ecosystems requires Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to be adaptive and innovative, supported by character-driven, agile, and sustainable leadership.
As a national university, UGM’s commitment to nurturing national spirit and civility in building the character of future generations is also part of its mandate in developing educational and learning programs.
To enhance graduate quality and competence and increase UGM’s contribution to national and global development, UGM collaborates with central government bodies, ministries, agencies, regional governments, industries, foundations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Due to its achievements in establishing partnerships with national and international partners, UGM received the gold winner award for Best University Collaboration with Government or NGOs and the silver winner award for Best International University Collaboration.
These awards were presented at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Award Ceremony in Jakarta on Friday (Dec. 13).
In response to the award, Professor Puji Astuti, UGM Director of Partnership and Global Relations (DKRG UGM), expressed her gratitude that the government has recognized UGM’s efforts in fostering relationships at national and international levels.
According to Professor Astuti, UGM’s various collaborations aim to support student mobility programs, faculty exchanges, and joint international publications.
Collaborations with the central government, regional governments, industries, foundations, and NGOs are also expected to further enhance UGM’s reputation and contribution through research innovation and community service activities.
In addition to promoting student mobility, UGM also facilitates faculty mobility through 59 international activities organized by DKRG UGM.
To encourage participation from work units in international activities, Professor Astuti mentioned that DKRG UGM provides Summer Course Grants, International Team Teaching Grants, and International Joint Supervision Grants.
“Throughout 2024, UGM awarded five Summer Course Grants involving a total of 50 international lecturers and 200 international students. The Summer Course themes are oriented toward strengthening UGM’s flagship programs and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” she stated on Monday (Dec. 23) at the UGM Campus.
As part of its efforts to facilitate international partnerships and strengthen the innovation ecosystem, UGM actively participates in 14 international consortia. Not only is UGM an active member of these consortia, but it also serves as a coordinator in drafting concept notes and implementing partnerships.
“In forming the InuCOST consortium, which involves three universities in the Netherlands and five universities in Indonesia, UGM has played an active role as an interface, facilitating communication between universities in the Netherlands, Indonesian universities, and the DRPTM Dikti, which provides LPDP funding of 400,000 euros per year dedicated to this consortium,” she explained.
Head of the Sub-Directorate of Domestic Cooperation, DKRG UGM, Dr. Johan Syafri Mahathir Ahmad, stated that this award further motivates his team to strengthen synergy and enhance collaboration efforts.
This recognition would not have been possible without UGM’s internal support and collaboration with external partners, particularly the government and NGOs.
“We greatly appreciate the strong cooperation with our existing partners. Moving forward, we hope to further increase collaborations, not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of their broader impact on society,” said Dr. Ahmad.
According to Dr. Ahmad, collaboration partners are not only funders of research but also contributors to research topics and issues.
He noted that government partners can initiate collaborative research and studies on pressing problems.
Through these research partnerships, UGM can produce outputs such as patents, books, modules, and publications, which in turn enhance UGM’s reputation in national and international rankings.
Not relying solely on existing partners, UGM is also actively expanding and deepening collaborations for the future.
“As facilitators, we help the university map out potential partners that can be synergized for future collaborations,” Dr. Ahmad concluded.
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto
Post-editor: Afif