UTAR delegation visits Indonesia to explore academic and research collaborations

The delegation was led by UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman and Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR) Director Prof Ts Dr Lim Yang Mooi. Joining them were IPSR Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dr Choong Yuen Onn, Centre for Biomedical and Nutrition Research (CBNR) Chairperson Dr Eddy Cheah Seong Guan, Centre for Modern Languages and Literature (CMLL) Chairperson Dr Nadya Supian, and Dr Ong Yit Thai, representing Centre for Environment and Green Technology (CEGT) Chairperson Assoc Prof ChM Ts Dr Sin Jin Chung.

Prof Lim presented on UTAR’s research focus and directions, available resources, the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research, postgraduate studies, and the research focus of the research centres affiliated with the M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS). Dr Choong Yuen Onn shared insights into the research priorities of the research centres under the Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) and the Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM).  

Dr Eddy Cheah highlighted the research focus of the Centre for Biodiversity and Natural Resources (CBNR) and the Centre for Agriculture and Food Research (CAFR). Dr Nadya discussed the research focus of the Centre for Modern Languages and Literature (CMLL) and the Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI). Last but not least, Dr Ong outlined the research focus of the Centre for Engineering and Green Technology (CEGT).

From left to right: Dr Ong, Prof Lim, Prof Faidz, Dr Nadya, Dr Eddy Cheah, Dr Choong

The delegation visited BRIN (the National Research and Innovation Agency) at Tangerang Selatan, Banten on 22 July 2024. BRIN representatives who attended the meeting with the UTAR delegation included Prof Dr Ratno Nuryadi, Research Organization for Nanotechnology and Materials Chairman Dr Herry Jogaswara, Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature Chairman Prof Dr Ni Luh Putu Indi Dharmayanti, Research Organization for Health Chairman Prof Dr Sunarno, Center for Biomedical Research Head Prof Dr Yenny Meliana, Research Center for Chemistry Head Dr Wahyu Bambang Widayatno, Research Center for Advanced Material Head Ade Mulyanah, Research Center for Language, Literature, and Community Head Dr Agus Sukarto Wismogroho, Research Center for Nanotechnology System Acting Head Dr Handy Chandra, Research Center for Environmental and Clean Technology Acting Head Dr Ajeng Kusumaningtyas Pramono, Center for Biomedical Research Member Lia Agustina Setyowati, Programme and Performance Reporting Coordinator RONM Annisa Dieni Lestari, Serpong III Multi-Unit Regional Public Relations Services Coordinator, and Sarma Uli Bakara, Secretariat Sub-coordinator RONM.

The meeting began with video presentations from BRIN and UTAR, followed by a welcome speech by Prof Dr Ratno Nuryadi representing BRIN and a speech by Prof Faidz representing UTAR. This was followed by presentations by UTAR and BRIN members and a discussion on the following areas of collaboration: 1) to initiate a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between both organisations for research collaboration between the 12 research organisations at BRIN and 34 research centres at UTAR; 2) research collaborations in the fields of nanotechnology, environment and green technology, language, biomedical and medical sciences, etc.; 3) matching grants for co-funding research projects; 4) postdoctoral scheme and visiting professors for both parties; 5) BRIN staff joining UTAR postgraduate programmes; and 6) co-organising virtual seminars or conferences.

The meeting between UTAR and BRIN

The meeting ended with a souvenir exchange between Prof Faidz and Prof Dr Ratno Nuryadi, photography, and lunch. The UTAR delegation was then given a tour of the BRIN facilities, which included the chemistry laboratories (high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance), transmission and scanning electron microscopy facilities, laboratories for photonics and advanced materials research, and their bioethanol production facility.

Tour of BRIN facilities

[Top left is the bioethanol production facility]

The delegation visited Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN) at Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten on 23 July 2024. Upon arrival, the delegation was hosted for a coffee and tea session. Among the representatives from UMN that attended the meeting with the UTAR delegation included Prof Dr Muliawati Siswanto, Vice Rector for Relations and Cooperations Dr Friska Natalia, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Dr Andrey Andoko, Vice Rector for Finance and General Affairs Dr Ika Yanuarti, Vice Rector for Relations and Cooperations, Dr P.M. Winarno, Research and Community Outreach Director Dr Rismi Juliadi, Faculty of Communication Science Dean Dr Muhammad Cahya Mulya Daulay, Faculty of Arts and Design Dean Dr Yearry Panji Setianto, Research Department Manager Dr Boby Arinto, Global Office Manager Dr Simon Wenehen, Humaniora Department Head and Department of Informatics lecturer Assoc Prof Arya Wicaksana.

The UTAR delegation having a coffee and tea session upon arrival at UMN

The meeting commenced with video presentations from UMN and UTAR, followed by a welcome address by Prof Dr Muliawati Siswanto on behalf of UMN and a speech by Prof Faidz representing UTAR. Presentations by members of both universities set the stage for in-depth discussions on potential collaborations. These included research partnerships in areas such as arts and social sciences, media, language, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, finance, mathematics and logistics, blockchain, sustainability, circular economy, sensors, and disaster and risk management. Other topics included matching grants to co-fund research projects, the possibility of establishing dual degree programs between UTAR’s Faculty of Creative Industries and UMN’s Faculty of Communication, guest lecturer or visiting scholar exchanges, student mobility and exchange initiatives, and entrepreneurship collaborations between UTAR’s Unovate Centre and UMN’s Skystar Ventures.

UMN management team with UTAR delegation

The meeting concluded with a souvenir exchange between Prof Faidz and Prof Muliawati, followed by a photography session. The UTAR delegation was then given a brief campus tour, which included a visit to the university’s entrepreneurial incubator, Skystar Ventures. Before departing, the delegation was treated to lunch at an Indonesian restaurant in a nearby shopping mall.

UMN management team with UTAR delegation at Skystar Ventures

On 24 July 2024, the delegation visited Universitas Medika Suherman (UMS) in Kabupaten Bekasi, Jawa Barat. Representatives from UMS who attended the meeting with the UTAR delegation included Rector Dr Triseu Setianingsih; University Academic Senate Head Mr Amrulloh Ibnu Kholdun; Vice Rector I (Education and Students’ Affairs) Ns. Retno Anggraini; Vice Rector II (Human Capital, Finance, and Asset Management) Mr Antonius Mudhita; Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Mr Deni Alamsah; Faculty of Technology and Social Sciences Dean Mr Tugiman; Research and Community Service Head Ms Cicilia Nony Bratajaya; Cooperation Bureau Coordinator Drg. Lyliana Endang Setianingsih; Faculty of Health Sciences Cooperation Unit Coordinator Drg. Emmelia Kristina Hutagaol, and Faculty of Technology and Social Sciences Cooperation Unit Coordinator Mr Hasanudin.

The meeting opened with video presentations from UMS and UTAR, followed by a welcome address from Dr Triseu Setianingsih on behalf of UMS and remarks from Prof Faidz representing UTAR. This was followed by presentations from both UMS and UTAR members and discussions focusing on several collaboration areas including joint research with UMS and RS Sentra Medika in areas such as hypertension, diabetes, endocrinology, traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM), and antimicrobial resistance; collaborative research with UMS Faculty of Technology and Social Sciences on brand image, green business, and business sustainability; exchange of guest lecturers and visiting professors between the institutions; student mobility and exchange programmes in nursing, physiotherapy, T&CM, and RS Sentra Medika (hospital); co-organising international webinars, virtual seminars, cyber-classes, and undergraduate student competitions, and joint community service initiatives.

Speeches by Dr Triseu (left) and Prof Faidz (right)

UMS representatives and UTAR delegation at the meeting

Presentations by UTAR delegates

Clockwise from top left: Prof Lim, Dr Choong, Dr Ong, Dr Nadya

The MoU renewal between UTAR and UMS was signed by Prof Faidz and Mr Amrulloh, with Prof Lim and Dr Triseu as witnesses. The ceremony concluded with an exchange of souvenirs between the two parties. Following this, the UTAR delegation was treated to lunch at a Japanese restaurant in a nearby hotel. They were later given a guided tour of RS Sentra Medika by the Hospital Director, Dr Rika, and her team.

MoU renewal between UTAR and UMS

Souvenir exchange between Prof Faidz and Dr Triseu

Lunch hosted by UMS for the UTAR delegation at a Japanese restaurant

The delegation visited Universitas Bina Nusantara (BINUS) in Jakarta Barat, Khusus on 25 July 2024. Representatives from BINUS who attended the meeting with the UTAR delegation included Vice Rector for Research & Technology Transfer Prof Dr Juneman Abraham; Graduate Program Director Dr Sani Muhamad Isa; Research Office Senior Manager Ms Nurlina; Head of Bioinformatics and Data Science Research Centre Prof Bens Pardamean; Head of Food Biotechnology Research Center Dr Nesti F. Sianipar; Research Interest Group Leader Dr Dave Mangindaan; Head of English Literature Study Program Irfan Rifai; Head of Food Technology Study Programme Dr Diana Lo; Head of Biotechnology Study Programme Dr Dwiyantari Widyaningrum; Manager of Strategic Collaboration Theodora Subyantoro; Dr Fitya Syarifa; and Dr Andrea.

The meeting commenced with video presentations from BINUS University and UTAR, setting the stage for a welcome speech by Prof Dr Juneman Abraham on behalf of BINUS University, followed by remarks from Prof Faidz representing UTAR. Subsequent presentations by members of both universities highlighted ongoing initiatives, including a detailed introduction by Dr Nesti Sianipar to the Food Biotechnology Research Centre, where she leads research on plant biotechnology, genetics and breeding, medicinal natural products, and food product development. 

The discussions explored various collaborative opportunities, such as research in areas like natural products and traditional herbs, nanomedicine and anticancer studies, plant biotechnology, bioinformatics, AI, IoT, waste management, psychoinformatics, and social psychology. Additional topics included matching grants for research co-funding, co-supervision of BINUS postgraduate students, multidisciplinary undergraduate internships, guest lecturers or visiting scholars from both institutions, student mobility programmes, and joint virtual seminars or forums. 

The meeting concluded with a souvenir exchange between Prof Faidz and Prof Juneman, followed by a photography session.

A video presentation to introduce BINUS University

Welcome speech by Prof Juneman

Presentation by Prof Lim

Souvenir exchange between Prof Faidz and Prof Juneman