The Faculty of Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a delegation of faculty members and students from the Master’s Program in Religious Philosophy at Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Raden Intan Lampung on Friday, December 13, 2024. The group was warmly received by the leadership of the Faculty of Philosophy UGM in the 5th-floor meeting room.
The visit marked an important milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Master’s Program in Religious Philosophy at UIN Raden Intan Lampung and the Master’s Program in Philosophy at UGM. This MoU serves as the foundation for official cooperation in the implementation of the Tridarma of Higher Education, which includes education, research, and community service.
Prof. Dr. Sudarman, M.Ag., Head of the Master’s Program in Religious Philosophy at UIN Raden Intan Lampung, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by UGM.
“Thank you for accepting our visit. The students we brought are the chosen ones who will be future leaders, and they have received scholarships from UIN. UGM and UIN are no strangers to each other, especially since Prof. Lasiyo was my lecturer during my doctoral studies at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. We hope this MoU can open a door to collaboration that strengthens and solidifies us, making Indonesia greater in the future,” said Prof. Sudarman.
Dr. Iva Ariani, S.S., M.Hum., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni at the Faculty of Philosophy UGM, welcomed the partnership and highlighted the growing role of philosophy in various practical fields.
“Philosophy today is no longer just about difficult questions but also about how it is applied in real life. We have a center for applied philosophy that is even involved with UNESCO in overseeing AI ethics. The more partners we have, the greater the impact philosophy will have for our collective progress,” Dr. Iva Ariani stated.
The students also had the opportunity to engage in discussions on the development of philosophy and its role in contemporary issues. They were introduced to the various research centers at the Faculty of Philosophy UGM, including the Laboratory of Nusantara Philosophy, which stands as one of the faculty’s flagship programs.
This visit is expected to not only mark the beginning of academic collaboration but also open opportunities for joint research, academic seminars, and exchange of ideas between the two institutions. The MoU signed lays a crucial foundation for advancing the field of philosophy in Indonesia.