Yogyakarta, 16 July 2026 – As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening international collaboration, the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted an official visit to Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), South Korea, from 13–15 July 2026. The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, accompanied by Prof. Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.
The visit aimed to establish and expand academic cooperation between the Faculty of Biology UGM and Jeonbuk National University, particularly in the areas of student mobility, postgraduate education, and research collaboration. The meeting marked an important step toward developing a long-term partnership that will enhance international learning opportunities and academic excellence for both institutions.
The UGM delegation was warmly welcomed by Cho Hwarim, Vice President of International Affairs, and Lee Sehoon, Team Manager of Global Recruitment and Engagement, Office of International Affairs, Jeonbuk National University. During the discussions, both parties explored several collaborative initiatives that are expected to be implemented in the near future.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was JBNU’s commitment to provide 100 annual student exchange quotas for Universitas Gadjah Mada students, allowing participants to study at JBNU for one semester. Of these, 20 quotas will be specifically allocated to students from the Faculty of Biology UGM, creating greater opportunities for students to gain valuable international academic experience and intercultural exposure.
In addition, both institutions initiated discussions on the development of a Double Degree Program between the Faculty of Biology UGM and the Department of Life Sciences and Molecular Biology, Jeonbuk National University, at both the Master’s and Doctoral levels. The proposed program is expected to strengthen collaboration in education and research while producing graduates with global competencies and the ability to contribute to advancements in the life sciences.
Through this prospective partnership, the Faculty of Biology UGM continues to reinforce its commitment to the internationalization of higher education, expanding global learning opportunities for students and fostering collaborative research with leading international institutions. This initiative also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting access to high-quality international education and academic mobility, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the establishment of strategic global partnerships that support sustainable development in education, research, and innovation.
