The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) is delighted to announce the signing of a faculty-wide agreement with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Indonesia. UGM is the first state public University in Indonesia, alma mater of the current President of Indonesia Mr Joko Widodo, and ranked very high nationally for research intensity and global reputation.
Both universities formally exchanged a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in an online ceremony held on Tuesday 8 June. Our President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E. Smith led the Southampton delegation with Vice-President International (Interim) and Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Jane Falkingham, the Associate Dean International, the Heads of Schools and representatives of the International Office.
The agreement will allow students from UGM to participate in FSS study abroad programmes, with options to progress to Master’s degree programmes across all five Schools within FSS. In addition, the new partnership will actively enable bilateral exchange of staff and students, summer schools and joint research activities.
Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor, commented:
“I am delighted to see the shared goals and value of our new partnership with Universitas Gadjah Mada in pursuit of excellence towards high quality research and education. I look forward to strengthening and deepening our partnership through bilateral student exchange, study abroad programmes and joint research activities.”
Professor Panut Mulyono, Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, welcoming the Southampton delegation, commented:
“Our celebrations today mark a great start and a solid foundation for our friendship, upon which we will build a series of joint academic and student exchange activities. The MoA that we are signing today will only strengthen our already strong relationship. And, our opportunities are endless and there is no limit to our imagination to undertake real work for real impacts.”
The partnership with UGM was introduced and highly recommended by the then Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Dr Rizal Sukma, and Professor Aminudin Aziz, Education and Culture Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy. In March 2019, Ambassador H.E. Dr Sukma led a delegation to the University of Southampton, where he delivered a Distinguished Lecture on the rise of the Asian economy and participated in the Indonesian Student Society Festival.
UGM expressed a specific interest in establishing institutional collaboration focused on student exchange through progression, study abroad and a summer school. In January 2020, Professor Sabu Padmadas, Associate Dean International, Professor Martin Broad, former Head of Southampton Business School and Professor Brenda Hannigan, former Head of Law School along with Professor Paurav Shukla and Dr Rob Angell from Southampton Business School, visited UGM to discuss the scope and feasibility of UoS-UGM partnership.
The Faculty International Office will continue managing this important partnership through programme promotions, recruitment, and partner student support.
