Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) Yogyakarta has initiated a groundbreaking collaborative project with seven private universities, focusing on disaster management, sustainable development, and disability inclusion. This joint effort includes members of the Christian Higher Education Cooperation Agency (BKPTKI), specifically Universitas Dhyana Pura, Universitas Halmahera, Universitas HKBP Nommensen, Universitas Kristen Artha Wacana, Universitas Kristen Indonesia Maluku, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, and Universitas Pelita Harapan.
The partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) during the 2024 BKPTKI Academic Convention and Annual Meeting held in Denpasar, Bali, from July 10-12. The MoA outlines a five-year plan, divided into four phases: establishing a collaborative platform, implementing research and service programs, evaluating progress, and expanding initiatives. The agreement was signed by the rectors of UKDW and the seven participating universities.
This initiative aims to strengthen the role of higher education institutions in addressing critical issues such as disaster response, sustainable development, and the inclusion of people with disabilities. It also focuses on disaster mitigation, preparedness modeling, and inclusive community response strategies.
Dr.-Ing. Wiyatiningsih, S.T., M.T., Rector of UKDW, emphasized the significance of this collaboration. “This partnership represents a major step for Christian higher education institutions in Indonesia to work together on crucial issues. By leveraging our combined resources and expertise, we aim to make a lasting positive impact on the communities we serve. We are enthusiastic about the potential outcomes and look forward to achieving our goals with our partners,” she stated.
The collaboration seeks to develop comprehensive preparedness models that engage various stakeholders, including local communities. By pooling resources and expertise from multiple institutions, the initiative aims to deliver effective, widespread solutions.
Through this synergy, UKDW and its BKPTKI partners expect to drive meaningful change, benefiting communities across Indonesia and enhancing the role of higher education in addressing pressing societal challenges. [penta/trans.drr]