Universitas Indonesia (UI) and the University of Toronto officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the field of research and innovation. The signing took place on Thursday (10/10), at the Central Administration Building of Universitas Indonesia, Depok. UI Rector, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., together with the President of the University of Toronto, Prof. Meric Gertler, signed an agreement that expands the collaboration between the two institutions, which was previously discussed at a meeting on June 4.
In his remarks, Prof. Ari welcomed this collaboration, especially to strengthen collaboration at the faculty level. He also emphasized the importance of the international role in innovative research pioneered by UI, including the UI Net Zero Initiative (UI NZI) launched this year. “We invite the University of Toronto to become an international partner in a program that focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through research results and policies. The involvement of international actors is important in every scientific initiative pioneered by UI,” said Prof. Ari.
The collaboration will focus on environmental research, with the UI School of Environmental Sciences (SIL) as the main driver. The Deputy Director of SIL UI, Dr. Dony Abdul Chalid, proposed the topic of urban studies as a potential area of collaboration, given the similarities in the multidisciplinary approach applied by the University of Toronto’s School of Cities (UTSC) and SIL UI.
Prof. Meric Gertler welcomed the proposal, emphasizing that the approach of multidisciplinary schools such as UTSC is a new phenomenon that requires further development. “The collaboration between UTSC and SIL UI will open up new collaborations, including with the government. We hope to build a framework that supports this research innovation,” he said.
Before meeting with UI representatives, the University of Toronto delegation had also discussed with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). During the meeting, BRIN expressed its support for research collaboration between the two universities. Prof. Meric added, “If UI and the University of Toronto agree to collaborate in conducting research in the field of physics, BRIN will also support it. Of course, this provides positive hope for the success of joint research between the two universities, considering that Professor Geoffrey E. Hinton from our university also received the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics.”
The University of Toronto delegation who also attended the discussion were Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Nadina Jamison, and Regional Lead for Southeast Asia, Japan, and Oceania, Alicha Sobecka. Meanwhile, UI representatives who attended included the Head of the Bureau of Transformation, Risk Management and Monitoring Evaluation, Vishnu Juwono, S.E., M.I.A., Ph.D; Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Parulian Paidi Aritonang, S.H., LL.M., MPP; Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. apt. Arry Yanuar, M.Si; Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science, Dr. Petrus Mursanto; Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S. D.Sc.; and other vice deans and faculties.
UI as a university that upholds the spirit of universalism of values in life is expected to be able to educate students to become inclusive and tolerant individuals and appreciate diversity in social life, by becoming a field for sowing the seeds of inclusive thinking, mature in thought and action, critical, and comprehensive in viewing various socio-economic problems. With this MoU, both universities are committed to increasing multidisciplinary research collaboration, integrating their respective strengths in responding to global challenges, especially in the fields of environment, urban studies, and technological innovation.
