Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) and Gereja Kristen Sumba (Sumba Christian Church) have officially established a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 18, 2025, at the church’s synod office. This collaboration aims to improve the quality of education and human resources between the two institutions. Gereja Kristen Sumba, through its Masehi Education Foundation in Sumba, has long been involved in education, running various programs that benefit the local community. The signing of this MoU is expected to strengthen ties and foster collaboration between UKDW and the church in developing innovative and relevant educational programs.
The signing ceremony was attended by UKDW’s Vice Rector for Human Resorce Capacity Building, Promotion, and Partnerships, Rev. Dr. Wahju Satria Wibowo, and Gereja Kristen Sumba Synod Chairman, Rev. Marlin Lomi, S.Th., along with representatives from both institutions. In his remarks, Rev. Wahju expressed his hope that this partnership would have a positive impact on education development in Sumba.
“Gereja Kristen Sumba has been a key supporter of UKDW, and it is only fitting that both institutions deepen their collaboration. We hope this partnership will contribute to the growth of the church’s educational services, particularly in primary and secondary education in Sumba,” he stated.
Rev. Marlin Lomi, S.Th., also emphasized the significance of this partnership in his speech.
“We sincerely appreciate the signing of this MoU between UKDW and the synod of Gereja Kristen Sumba. As one of the church synods supporting UKDW, we hope that through this MoU, our collaboration will materialize in various agreed-upon areas, particularly in human resource development and education quality improvement in Sumba. UKDW is a distinguished Christian university that has been a popular choice for Sumba’s students. Many of our young people have graduated from UKDW and have contributed to the development of Sumba and Gereja Kristen Sumba. We look forward to expanding this partnership in ways that benefit both UKDW and the church in the future,” he said.
The church also expressed gratitude to UKDW for opening opportunities for collaboration with the Masehi Education Foundation in Sumba, particularly in strengthening the capacity of teachers and church leaders.
In addition to the MoU signing, UKDW also formalized cooperation agreements between several of its faculties—including the Faculty of Business, Faculty of Education and Humanities, and Faculty of Theology—and the Masehi Education Foundation’s Sumba Tengah branch. These agreements will serve as a framework for faculty members and students to engage in collaborative activities.
As part of their visit to Sumba, UKDW representatives also toured several schools to introduce the university to local students and offer scholarships for those interested in pursuing higher education at UKDW. During these visits, they provided information on academic programs, campus facilities, and available scholarship opportunities. This initiative aims to inspire and encourage Sumba’s students to continue their education at UKDW.
By sharing knowledge and resources, UKDW and Gereja Kristen Sumba strive to raise education standards, including curriculum development, teacher training, and educational infrastructure improvements. Joint programs will be designed to develop human resources in Sumba, focusing on skills training and community empowerment. This partnership also seeks to expand access to education, particularly for underprivileged students.
Key collaborative initiatives include curriculum development tailored to community and job market needs, scholarships for Sumba students pursuing higher education at UKDW, and workshops focusing on skills development and community empowerment.
This collaboration is expected to bring significant positive impacts to both institutions while fostering educational and human resource development in Sumba. With a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration, UKDW and Gereja Kristen Sumba are dedicated to contributing meaningfully to educational progress and community well-being. [Lia/trans.drr]