Yamagata University is a higher-educational institution that has a long tradition and history starting with the establishment of the Yamagata Prefectural Normal School (YPNS) in 1878 and subsequently joining as part of the National University system in 1949. Yamagata University is currently ranked #401-450 at Asian Universities (according to QS World University Rankings 2022) and has 6 Faculties (Undergraduate Study) and 8 Graduate Schools spread across Yamagata Prefecture in 4 campuses, namely: Kojirakawa Campus (Yamagata City), Iida Campus (Yamagata City), Yonezawa Campus (Yonezawa City), Tsuruoka Campus (Tsuruoka City).
In addition to these campuses, Yamagata University also has an affiliated school and campus called the Mogami Campus Area. As a comprehensive university, Yamagata University offers students a wide variety of curricula, especially in the arts and sciences.
Since 2018 until now, the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada has collaborated with the Faculty of Science at Yamagata University, especially in the visiting professor program from Yamagata University to the Faculty of Biology UGM, as well as Lecturers from the Faculty of Biology UGM as invited speakers at Yamagata University. Closer cooperation, at the beginning of 2020 the Sakura Science Program for undergraduate-regular and S1-IUP (International Undergraduate Program) students conducted training and workshops for 1 week at the Faculty of Science Yamagata University. However, with the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 and 2022, the Sakura Science Program will be held online.
Considering that in 2023 the condition of the Covid-19 pandemic is getting better, it is planned that the Sakura Science Program 2023 will be carried out offline or lurin in several laboratories and fields around Yamagata University. It is planned that in 2023, 10 undergraduate students will be selected with the support of Sakura Science Program funds and 5 students who have personal funds to participate in the program.
In order to improve academic and research cooperation, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. (Plt. Deputy Dean for Finance, Assets and Human Resources), and Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni) made a return visit to Yamagata University Japan on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the Faculty of Science Yamagata University Japan.
During their visit, discussions with Prof. Miyagi as Vice Dean for Education, Faculty of Science Yamagata University; Dr. Arai (Head of International Office, Yamagata University); Prof. Jun Yokoyama and Prof. Pujiyama (Senior Lecturer and Researcher) related to the development of double degree academic cooperation for doctoral programs and international exposure programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Hopefully the cooperation that has been going on so far through the Sakura Science Program can continue and develop (double degree program), so that students can add knowledge as well as study abroad experiences so that UGM remains Locally Rooted, Globally Respected.