UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta explores the collaboration with Perusahaan Umum Kehutanan Negara (Perhutani) (State Forestry Company). This partnership is marked with an online memorandum of understanding signing ceremony through the platform Zoom Cloud Meeting on Friday (30/7/2021).
This partnership is agreed to improve the implementation of Higher Education Tridharma in UNS, especially in forestry. This collaboration is also expected to synergize and optimize both institutions’ resources to achieve collective objectives.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, stated that UNS has long collaborated with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (LHK). In 2018 UNS also received a permit from the Minister of LHK to manage Kawasan Hutan dengan Tujuan Khusus (KHDTK) (Forest with Special Function) in Karanganyar District for research, community services, and education activities of UNS students and Faculty Members. Prof. Jamal added that this collaboration with Perhutani is beneficial for UNS in managing and utilizing KHDTK for Higher Education Tridharma in UNS.
“The synergy between UNS and Perhutani is highly strategic in supporting the management and utilization of KHDTK for Higher Education Tridharma. As an institution, higher education also has many aspects needed to accelerate forest management considering that forest is a special laboratory for university teachers and students,” Prof. Jamal stated
Further, Prof. Jamal hoped that the utilization of KHDTK could lead to the establishment of the Center for Excellence (PUI) in forestry. Currently, UNS has three PUI, PUI Japanology, PUI Fintech Center, and PUI Lithium Battery. Therefore, PUI from KHDTK will increase the number to four.
This remark received a positive response from the President Director of Perhutani, Ir. Wahyu Kuncoro, who stated that his firm is glad about this collaboration and that Perhutani is open for collaboration with any university that shares Perhutani objectives. “Not only forest management, but we also have Perhutani Forestry Institute that is ready to assist PUI development as mentioned by Prof. Jamal,” he said.
Ir. Wahyu explained that Perhutani Forestry Institute (PFI) is located in Madiun and Cepu, Blora. PFI had several studies to improve forest management and forestry products. Ir. Wahyu also added that PFI is ready to assist UNS Faculty Members and Students in conducting research and learning.
Besides improving the implementation of Higher Education Tridharma, this partnership also supports the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program. Through this collaboration, UNS students will be facilitated to have the MBKM program in the area under Perhutani authority. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
