Yogyakarta, 28 November 2025 — Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a delegation from the Australian National University (ANU), Australia, to discuss the extension of the undergraduate Double Degree program with the Faculty of Biology and explore broader prospects for strategic collaboration with the university. The meeting took place in the Meeting Room of the Rector’s Office at UGM. The ANU delegation was led by Professor Kiaran Kirk, Dean of the College of Science and Medicine, accompanied by Professor Stephen Eggins, Dean of the College of Systems and Society; Professor Maja Adamska, Associate Director of Education at the College of Science and Medicine, Research School of Biology; Associate Professor Jeremy Smith from the College of Systems & Society, School of Engineering; and Leonardo Alfonzo, Regional Manager for International Relations and Partnerships – STEMM.
From UGM, the meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., Apt., Director of Partnerships, Alumni, and International Affairs of UGM, accompanied by Tyas Iksan Hikmawan, Ph.D., Head of the Office of International Affairs (KUI) UGM. Also present were Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Biology; Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni; Nur Indah Septriani, Ph.D., Head of the International Affairs Office of the Faculty of Biology; and Matin Nuhamunada, Ph.D., Secretary of the Biology International Affairs Office. In addition, the meeting was attended by Prof. dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc., Ph.D., FRSPH, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM, ASEAN Eng., Dean of the Vocational College; and Prof. Ir. Ali Awaludin, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., IPU, ACPE, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Collaboration of the Faculty of Engineering.
Opening the discussion, Prof. Puji Astuti expressed her warm welcome and appreciation for the longstanding partnership between UGM and ANU, highlighting the strong foundation of collaboration that has been built over the years. The meeting continued with discussions on strengthening and expanding the partnership through initiatives such as the Enhancing Quality Education for International University Impacts and Recognition (EQUITY WCU) program, the New Colombo Plan, and academic collaboration schemes with potential support from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).
A major highlight of the meeting was the signing of the extension of the Double Degree Undergraduate Program between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the College of Science and Medicine ANU. The collaboration, which has been running since 2018, has been reaffirmed following the graduation of the program’s first two participants, Vanessa and Sabut, who successfully completed their studies at both UGM and ANU in 2025. On this occasion, Prof. Budi emphasized that the continuation of this program represents a strategic opportunity for UGM to broaden global academic exposure for students while enhancing their competencies through high-quality international learning experiences.
Beyond the undergraduate collaboration, discussions also explored the potential for multidisciplinary research partnerships involving the Faculty of Biology, the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Vocational College. Both institutions exchanged ideas on potential research topics that could be developed collaboratively, including biology, public health, systems engineering, and technological innovations supporting sustainable development.
The agenda proceeded with a Faculty Tour to the Faculty of Biology UGM, specifically to the ongoing Research Day activities. The ANU delegation was introduced to various research initiatives, academic activities, and established collaborations within the faculty.
Concluding the visit, UGM and ANU expressed their shared hope that the strengthened partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also generate real contributions to society through alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The collaboration supports SDG 4 on quality education through international mobility and capacity building, SDG 9 on innovation and impactful research, and SDG 17 on strengthening global partnerships. Moving forward, both institutions expect this cooperation to evolve into a model of international academic partnership that drives innovation, enhances human resource capacity, and reinforces the essential role of higher education institutions in addressing global challenges.
