Universitas Padjadjaran was initiating cooperation with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) related to the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Indonesia. Many policy recommendations would be generated to achieve the SDGs program through this scientific collaboration.
This cooperation was realized by signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Rector of Unpad Prof. Tri Hanggono Achmad and UNDP Country Director of Indonesia Chritophe Bahuet, in UNDP Indonesia office in Jakarta, Thursday (19/10).
On the occasion, the Rector said, this cooperation was an important breakthrough in the attempt to develop the 17 programs listed in SDGs. Currently various development problems require more intensive cooperation.
The rector said that it must be realized through an approach with various stakeholders, including government, business, academia, community, and the media. This cooperation pattern is termed by Unpad as “Pentahelix” cooperation.
Rector believes that UNDP has a strategic role as an Indonesian government partner in promoting SDGs. “With UNDP’s capacity, experience and resources, we believe that this collaboration will be beneficial to both parties, for example in the knowledge transfer” said Rector.
Having the same opinion with the Rector, Christophe Bauhet said that the UNDP highly appreciated the cooperation with Unpad. He hoped that UNDP and Unpad would conduct useful research activities for policy development related to SDGs. In addition, both parties are expected to participate actively in providing a broader understanding of SDGs to the community.
The issue of sustainable development has been the focus of the Unpad Tri Darma activity. One of the implementations is the inclusion of SDGs in the learning curriculum. The purpose is that students can find out various issues related to SDGs early on. Students are also actively encouraged to be involved in various implementations SDGs’s chemes conducted by Unpad.
As the commitment in achieving SDGs in Indonesia, Unpad through the feature of SDGs Centre have published a book titled “Commemorating SDGs, the readiness of Indonesian provinces.” This book is discussing about the achievement of SDGs through the comprehensive research approach.
“We believe that this effort need to be conducted with focus and integration, for that we execute it with academic approach with Trans discipline (by involving) many faculties that available in Unpad.” As the rector said.
In short, this book is Unpad’s contribution in its 60th anniversary in achieving many SDGs Programs in Indonesia in 2030. Many recommendations from civitas academica’s thought result will be expected to be the foundation of policy establishments for the planning and catalyst in achieving the SDGs’ targets.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of SDGS Centre Unpad Prof. Arief Anshori Yusuf Ph.D said that many aspects of the SDGs were very complex. From many baseline researches, SDGs development needs a comprehensive approach. More than that, every involved institutions need to be able to see the program priorities that have to be done first.
The event of the MoU signing is attended by UNDP SDGs Technical Advisor Juliaty Ansye Spacua, representative of SDGs partners, Bappenas, Vice Rector of Research, Public Service, Cooperation and Academic Corporation Dr. Keri Lestari, M.si, Apt., Cooperation Director and Academic Corporation Prof. Dr. Budi Setiabudiawan, dr, Sp.A(K), M.Kes, Head of Public Communication of Unpad Office Ade Karisman, M.Si, M.T, and Deputy Director of Unpad SDGs Centre Dr. Zuzy Arina, M.Si.
This event also filled by panel discussion themed “Strategic Partnership towards Accelerated SDGs Attainment: The Role of Academia” with keynote speaker Christophe Bahuet, Prof. Arief Anshory Yusuf, Co-chair of Indonesia philanthropy Ir. Erna Witoelar, M.Si, Director of Forestry and Sea Resources Conservation Ir. Wahyuningsih Darajatim M.Sc, and Head of Bappeda in Lampung Province Ir. Taufik Hidayat, MM,. MEP.
