UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta established a partnership with PT. Indonesian Railways (KAI). This partnership was marked with a cooperation agreement signatory ceremony between UNS and PT. KAI on Friday (11/3/2022), coinciding with the 46th Anniversary of UNS. A similar partnership was also established between PT. KAI and the UNS Alumni Association (IKA UNS).
The signing was carried out in a hybrid manner at Conference Room II of Dr. Prakosa Building UNS and virtually through the Zoom Cloud Meetings application. The Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, accompanied by UNS Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs, Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Sajidan was present in person at this ceremony. The Director (CEO) of PT. KAI (persero), Didiek Hartyanto, and the Chairman of IKA UNS, Ir. Budi Harto, M.M., also attended the ceremony in person.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal, welcomes this cooperation. Prof. Jamal said that this partnership also embodies UNS to become a ‘Menara Air (source or water)’ for the surrounding community. “This MOU will be one of UNS Key Performance Indicators (IKU) achievement, specifically the 7th IKU. Hopefully, with this partnership, the campus will not only become an ‘Ivory Tower’ but also a ‘Water Tower,’ at least to improve IKU 2, namely realizing the Merdeka Belajar Merdeka Campus (MBKM) Program. This program will become the first step. Furthermore, I hope KAI can accept student internships and allow professionals from PT KAI to teach at UNS,” said Prof. Jamal.
The two-year cooperation will be first implemented through discounts for long and medium train ticket fares. The discount rate provided is 10 percent. This discount is given to lecturers, academic support staff, and members of IKA UNS who order train tickets through the KAI Access application.
This collaboration is expected to increase the number of work travel by train within the UNS. Additionally, UNS also promotes the use of KAI Access applications designed and developed by PT. KAI. The CEO of PT. KAI, Didiek Hartyanto revealed that this marks one of his contributions as a UNS alumnus. Didiek hopes that this cooperation can be developed for other activities. “As an alumnus, I would like to contribute to UNS accomplishments. As the Rector said earlier, UNS has excellent achievements. I am proud to be one of the UNS graduates. Well, that is how to build a partnership. This occasion will be the first time for UNS academic members to receive a discount for train travel. The next development would be a continuous collaboration between UNS and KAI. Hence, there will be an enrichment for students, preparing students as they graduate. Hence, they will be ready with the latest system,” Didiek said.
Not only for the academic members, PT. KAI also provides discounted rates with the same amount and conditions for IKA UNS members. This offer was greatly appreciated by the Chairman of IKA UNS, Ir. Budi Harto, M.M. “This partnership will provide great facilities for alumni. Train travel will be easier, more rewarding, and cheaper. I hope that this kind of partnership can be further developed,” he said.
This fare discount only applies to long and medium-distance trains. Discounts do not apply to commuter trains, special fares, and promotional fares. Discounted fares exceptions are also applied to luxury tourism trains such as imperial, priority, and other luxury trains. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
