Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M. Eng., D.Eng. along with a number of leaders in UGM visited West Papua Province in order to build communication and synergy with the region. One of the agenda of the event is to meet and strenghten relationship with UGM alumni through the event titled “UGM Greeting Alumni”, Saturday (3/2), in Swiss-belhotel, Sorong.
The presence of UGM Rector and his entourage was accepted with warm and rousing welcome. More than 100 UGM alumni in West Papua appeared to be packing Wayag Ballroom, Swiss-belhotel, Sorong, to attend the alumni gathering in the form of dialogue and interactive discussion.
One of UGM alumni who currently served as the Regent of Tambraw Regency, Gabriel Asem, S.H., M.Si, in his speech representing the alumni, expressed his feeling of pride and delight over the presence of UGM Rector in West Papua. He appreciated UGM’s special attention to his birthplace. Gabriel hopes that the presence of UGM will bring a positive impact on the progress in West Papua region.
“Our natural potential is certainly very rich. But we still have weakness in terms of management. Moreover, human resources are still not enough to develop the existing potential. For that, we hope UGM can help to support,” said Gabriel.
Gabriel added, West Papua youths actually have good potential. But they are often having difficulties when competing with learners from other regions in Indonesia, especially those from Java. He hopes that there is a special quota for the region so that the local youth can get more opportunities to gain knowledge on the campus of Universitas Gadjah Mada.
In response, UGM Rector assured the people of West Papua that UGM will continue to be committed to support the progress in the region. According to Prof. Panut, one of UGM’s identity is a populist university, a national university. It became a booster of UGM’s devotion that will never stop in developing the country, including contributing to the land of Papua.
“UGM is the place to educate the leaders of the archipelago, including West Papua. There are many leaders born from UGM alumni who became regional leaders here. It is one of the real evidence UGM contribute to the region through its alumni,” said Prof. Panut.
The visit of the UGM Rector entourage is scheduled to last for four days. Before the alumni gathering, UGM Rector and entourage were first feted at dinner with local officials and alumni at Sunshine Beach Resto, Friday (2/2). In that event, the signing of a joint memorandum of understanding between UGM and the local government of Raja Ampat Regency, Tambraw Regency, and Sorong Regency was also held.
Sunday (4/2), the Rector and the entourage are planned to visit Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat Regency to review the location of KKN PPM UGM 2018. The Rector is also invited to attend the Coordination Meeting of KAGAMA West Papua Formation before returning to Yogyakarta on Monday 5/2). [Eggy/Farah]