Gadjah Mada University Postgraduate School (SPs UGM) once again demonstrated its commitment to developing tourism education and research by holding an agenda on Friday, October 4th 2024, in the SPs UGM Leadership Meeting Room. This event was filled with discussions and the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between SPs UGM and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) regarding the Tourism Scholarship Program. The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Leaders of SPs UGM, as well as the Head of the Tourism Studies Master’s Program.
This collaboration is a continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed in 2021 between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Chancellor of UGM. The main focus of this collaboration is the development of human resources (HR) and research in the tourism sector through providing scholarships to Master of Tourism Studies students at SPs UGM. This scholarship program is expected to improve students’ academic and professional abilities, as well as strengthen the synergy between UGM and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in developing the tourism sector.
Several important points were discussed in this meeting, one of which was the involvement of lecturers from Poltekpar who were expected to act as examiners or supervisors in the Tourism Studies Master’s Program. Apart from that, Poltekpar lecturers are also expected to have the potential to become resource persons in various academic and training activities organized by SPs UGM. On the other hand, plans for student exchange between Poltekpar and SPs UGM were also discussed, which aims to broaden the academic and cultural experiences of students from both institutions.
In his speech, the Dean of the UGM Postgraduate School emphasized his institution’s commitment to ensuring the involvement of Poltekpar lecturers in various academic activities. He also emphasized the importance of adjusting academic regulations regarding the role of external lecturers as examiners, so that they are in line with the regulations in force at UGM.
Apart from that, SPs UGM hopes that this collaboration will not only be limited to the Master’s Program, but will also include the development of the Tourism Doctoral Program in the future, with the target of increasing international collaboration. The development of research and human resources in the tourism sector, including increasing student participation in international exchange programs, is expected to have a positive impact on graduate competency and strengthen academic and professional networks at the global level.
The signing of this cooperation agreement is a significant first step in strengthening relations between UGM and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. It is hoped that this collaboration will accelerate the development of quality tourism human resources, which will have a positive impact on economic growth and the welfare of the Indonesian people.
Author: Arfikah Istari