The Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM) and the Graduate School of Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) strengthened their academic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at the Dili Institute of Technology Auditorium in Dili, Timor-Leste, on Friday (July 17th). The agreement marks a strategic step to expand collaboration in education, research, and community engagement between the two institutions.
The SPs UGM delegation was led by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Ir. Widyanto Dwi Nugroho, S.Hut., M.Agr.Sc. Timor-Leste’s Vice Prime Minister, Mariano Assanami Sabino, attended the event and delivered the opening remarks. In his address, he emphasized that the relationship of Indonesia and Timor-Leste showed how border security can be built with fraternity, reconciliation, and friendship rather than with strict military enforcement.
“The border of Indonesia and Timor-Leste is one of the safest in the world because it is built on reconciliation and solidarity. Together, we have established a unique model of border development that differs from many others around the world,” he said.
According to Mariano Assanami Sabino, the collaboration of the Gadjah Mada Alumni Association (KAGAMA) Timor-Leste and the Graduate School of UGM represents a tangible implementation of the values of reconciliation and solidarity. He noted that cooperation in education, research, and community engagement has a strategic role in advancing the development of the Indonesia–Timor-Leste border region.
During the event, he also highlighted that malnutrition and stunting remain among Timor-Leste’s major development challenges. He expressed his appreciation for the contributions of UGM academics conducting research on these issues, including Dr. Hilda Ismail, Apt., M.Si., and Prof. Siti Helmyati, DCN., M.Kes., who are currently investigating stunting in border communities. He expressed hope that their research would provide evidence-based recommendations to support efforts in addressing stunting in the border region.
Mariano further noted that Timor-Leste continues to expand its international partnerships with countries and regions such as Portugal, the Pacific, and Africa to support national development. Nevertheless, he stressed that sustainable development depends not only on international cooperation and infrastructure but also on the development of high-quality human resources.
“We can continue to build and grow, but such progress can only be achieved when it is supported by excellent human resources,” he remarked.
The program, after the opening session, continued with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) featuring academics from SPs UGM to discuss opportunities for strengthening collaboration in education, research, and community engagement.
SPs UGM and the Graduate School of DIT, with the signing of the MoA and the organization of the academic forum, reaffirmed their shared commitment to foster meaningful collaboration contributing to sustainable development and the enhancement of human resource capacity in the Indonesia–Timor-Leste border region.
Author: Asti Rahmaningrum