Yogyakarta, February 21st 2025 – Extension and Development Communication (PKP) Study Program of the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) strengthens international collaboration with the University of Passau, Germany, with a series of strategic cooperation agreements. This agreement covers various academic aspects, from dissertation examinations to organizing workshops and guest lectures.
This meeting was an agenda to sign a memorandum of understanding for the cooperation program which took place in a very warm atmosphere. Prof. Dr. Michael Grimm, Professor and Chair of Development Economics at the University of Passau, stated, “UGM and Indonesia are interesting places for me to carry out international research cooperation.” He also added that Indonesia has the potential for business orientation in the world of plants, plantations, and agriculture. “It is enough to just spread networking and contribute through platforms.”
One of the main points in this cooperation is the involvement of Prof. Michael Grimm who expressed his willingness to act as an examiner and co-promoter for doctoral students at the UGM Graduate School. His participation is expected to enrich academic perspectives and improve the quality of research in the fields of public policy and development economics.
In addition, another major collaboration is the holding of the Inception Workshop entitled “Enhancing the Adoption of ‘Lentera DESA’ Platform Services among Millennial Farmers and Extension Workers in Indonesia”. This workshop will be a forum for strategic discussions in increasing the adoption of Lentera DESA platform services among millennial farmers and agricultural extension workers in Indonesia. It is hoped that this initiative can contribute to support the digital transformation of the agricultural sector and strengthening rural development policies. Irene Furlani, B.Sc., M.Sc., a researcher in Development Economics from the University of Passau, emphasized, “The target of this collaboration activity is to shape millennial farmers to be more creative in producing product value.”
Prof. Ir. Siti Malkhamah, M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN.Eng., Dean of the UGM Graduate School also explained that perhaps Indonesia and other countries will have differences in terms of conditions, atmosphere, and others. “UGM has a mandate from the government to maintain greenery, but there are many problems that tend to be complicated related to social conditions.” She also emphasized the importance of creating a platform, and educating millennial farmers so that they can use this platform to advance agriculture. “If this program is successful, we may develop a similar program by looking at it from other aspects, because we want to shape the younger generation to get knowledge literacy like this.” Alia Bihrajihant Raya, S.P., M.P., Ph.D, Chief of the PKP Doctoral Program, added that the Lentera DESA Platform is an original innovation created by UGM. “When we created this platform, we were mentored by experts from the Netherlands.” She also asked for the blessing of the SPs UGM’s leaders for this collaboration and cooperation to run well. The collaboration between the PKP Program of UGM Postgraduate School and the University of Passau is expected to have a positive impact on the development of research and public policy, as well as expanding the international academic network for students and lecturers.
Author: Burhanul Aqil