On Monday, 21 August 2023, Faculty of Biology received a visit from the University of Groningen, Netherlands attended Drs. Tim Zwaagstra, M.A. as Senior Policy Advisor Southeast Asia and Japan and Mervin Bakker, M.Sc. as Director of International Strategy & Relations University of Groningen. The visit was received at the KPTU Meeting Room of the Faculty of Biology and was attended by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. as Vice Dean for Asset Finance and HR, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc. as Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Head of the Undergraduate Study Program, Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.Sc., Ph.D. from the Office of International Affairs of the Faculty of Biology and Dr. Miftahul Ilmi, M.Si. from the Microbiology Laboratory.
During the visit, Dr. Eko as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs presented the profile of the Faculty of Biology, study programs, facilities, and collaborations that have been forged by the Faculty of Biology both with domestic and overseas partners. On that occasion, Prof. Budi as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology also added about the collaboration established by the Faculty of Biology, with vital parties in Indonesia such as BUMN and the government, which hopes to reach and provide more benefits to the wider community.
The collaboration with the University of Groningen had previously been initiated by the Faculty of Biology regarding student exchange and at this meeting it was discussed again as a follow-up to the previous discussion. Tim and Mervin also appreciated the collaboration plans that will be implemented as well as the potential for further collaboration such as double degrees, joint publications, participation in the International Summer Course also student mobility. This collaboration is also potentially supported by a scholarship from the Indonesian government, namely the LPDP Program which is currently able to support double degree programs up to joint publication. There is also a need for further discussion, especially plans for specific programs such as double degrees which require curriculum alignment and so on.
The visit was a step by the Faculty of Biology to improve the quality of education by collaborating with partners at the international level as well as building good relations, especially with the University of Groningen. In addition, this collaboration is a commitment from the Faculty of Biology UGM to supporting sustainable development and is in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely quality education (SDGs 4) and partnership for the goals (SDGs 17).