EduAsiaNews, Surakarta — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has established a collaboration and strategic partnership with the Government of South Papua Province. The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rector of UNS, Hartono, and the Governor of South Papua Province, Apollo Sadanpo, at the dr. Prakosa Building, UNS, on Friday (April 17, 2026).
On behalf of the university leadership, Prof. Hartono welcomed Governor Apollo Sadanpo and his delegation to UNS. “However, allow me to say that this is not merely a ‘welcome,’ but rather a ‘welcome home’ to UNS, as he (Dr. Apollo Sadanpo) is an alumnus of Civil Engineering at UNS, class of 1999,” he remarked.
The signing of this MoU represents a strategic step in strengthening synergy between higher education institutions and regional governments, particularly in implementing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education: education, research, and community service.
This agreement is expected to serve as a solid foundation for implementing various collaborative programs, including the development of education aligned with regional needs, impactful research initiatives, and sustainable, solution-oriented community service. In addition, the partnership opens opportunities to strengthen the “Impactful Campus” program and to develop high-quality, competitive human resources.
In line with this, UNS is currently implementing its strategic plan under the DREAMTEAM framework. Through this strategy, UNS is committed to becoming a university that not only excels academically but also contributes meaningfully to national development.
In practice, UNS upholds the values of ACTIVE, reflecting a collaborative, innovative, and responsive spirit toward contemporary challenges. These values form the basis for building strong partnerships with both central and regional governments, including South Papua Province.
“We believe that collaborations like this are part of our collective effort to deliver concrete solutions for society. South Papua, as a developing province, has significant potential, and through this synergy, we can contribute to accelerating development, particularly in education and human resource capacity building,” Prof. Hartono added.
He further expressed hope that the MoU would not remain merely ceremonial, but would be followed by measurable and sustainable programs. UNS stands ready to act as a strategic partner for the South Papua Provincial Government in delivering innovation, applied research, and community engagement with tangible impact.
“We extend our gratitude for the trust placed in UNS by the Government of South Papua Province. May this collaboration bring the greatest possible benefits to both UNS and South Papua,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Governor Apollo Sadanpo, on behalf of the South Papua Provincial Government, expressed his appreciation to UNS for the opportunity to establish this partnership. He noted that many young people from South Papua are alumni of UNS. “Therefore, we hope that even more of our students will have the opportunity to pursue their education at UNS in the future,” he stated.
Beyond education, South Papua also offers opportunities for cooperation in various sectors. The province holds considerable potential in agriculture, fisheries, and plantations that can be further developed through joint initiatives.
“We hope this partnership will become a strategic step in optimizing South Papua’s potential and supporting the development of Indonesia’s easternmost region,” Governor Apollo concluded.
