The Faculty of Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has established a strategic partnership with Universitas Samudra (Unsam) to strengthen cooperation in the three core pillars of higher education in Indonesia: education, research and publication, and community service. This partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy UGM and the Rector of Unsam on Tuesday (May 6) at the Faculty of Philosophy.
The agreement outlines three key areas of collaboration: academic development, joint research and scholarly publications, and community engagement initiatives. The partnership aims to enhance academic synergy between institutions, improve the quality of higher education, and expand the social impact of academia in Indonesian society.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Rr. Siti Murtiningsih, S.S., M.Hum., Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy UGM, expressed her hope that the partnership would soon translate into real and impactful programs for both the academic community and the broader public.
“We look forward to undertaking many initiatives together in the near future. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait long for concrete actions. This collaboration is something that our academic and public communities are truly anticipating. Thank you for this opportunity, and may it bring blessings to both parties. Let us exchange ideas and create meaningful work together as a foundation for future growth. Best wishes to all of us, and let’s be grateful for this partnership,” she said.
Echoing her sentiments, Prof. Dr. Ir. Hamdani, M.T., IPM., ASEAN Eng., Rector of Universitas Samudra, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended by the Faculty of Philosophy UGM. He highlighted the importance of this partnership in strengthening the quality of higher education, particularly in Eastern Indonesia.
“Thank you, Madam Dean, for welcoming us. We are grateful for this opportunity. Unsam is still relatively young—only 12 years old—and there’s so much we need to develop. We seek guidance on managing general education courses, including ethics. We need input so that higher education in our region can reach the same standards as here. I sincerely hope this collaboration will continue indefinitely, even after our current leadership changes,” said Prof. Hamdani.
The signing of this agreement is expected to mark the beginning of long-term collaboration between the two institutions. Future initiatives may include faculty and student exchanges, joint workshops and training sessions, collaborative research projects, and cross-regional community service programs.
This partnership also reaffirms the commitment of both institutions to advancing equitable and inclusive higher education in Indonesia, in line with the spirit of openness and collaboration that defines the academic world today.