From Wednesday, October 15 to Friday, October 17, 2025, President Nishina Hiroshige visited Gadjah Mada University (UGM), one of Ehime University’s partner institutions in Indonesia.
Gadjah Mada University is one of Indonesia’s leading comprehensive universities, consisting of 19 faculties and one graduate school. Ehime University concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Academic Exchange and an Agreement on Student Exchange (MOA) with UGM in 2007.
Since the agreement was concluded, the two universities have implemented and developed a wide range of exchanges, including the SUIJI (Six-University Initiative Japan Indonesia) Consortium student exchange program, a double degree program in engineering at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, joint research, and the acceptance of young faculty members for degree programs.
On Thursday, October 16, President Nishina paid a courtesy visit to Professor Ova Emilia, Rector of UGM, at the rector’s building.
The meeting was attended by, from Ehime University, President Nishina, Professor Kobayashi Osamu, Special Aide to the President for International Relations, and Professor Shimagami Motoko of the Institute for International Relations.
From UGM, Rector Ova Emilia was joined by Vice Rector Danang Sri Hadmoko, Professor Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, Head of the Office of International Affairs, Professor Mirwan Ushada, Director of Research, Professor Eni Harmayani, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, Dean of the Faculty of Biology, and Professor Didi Achjari, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on Ehime University’s upcoming online lectures to be made available on JV-Campus, as well as on regional collaboration, student internships, and joint research funding.
Prior to the courtesy visit, on Wednesday, October 15, President Nishina visited Dean Eni Harmayani at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, where he also toured the faculty’s plant factory facilities.
During the visit, he received a briefing on the Consortium for Agricultural Technology Research Based on Smart Technology and Artificial Intelligence, which was held at the same faculty. This consortium is composed of several institutions, including the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), IPB University, Udayana University, and the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN).
From Ehime University, Professor Hato Kenji and Associate Professor Islam Parvez of the Graduate School of Agriculture are participating in this initiative.
On Friday, October 17, President Nishina also visited FabLab Jogja, a fabrication laboratory located on UGM’s Wates Campus in Kulon Progo Regency.
The facility, established in 2022 with support from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), is situated within a campus that also includes a vocational training school, a plant factory, and local junior and senior high schools.
President Nishina exchanged views with Professor Adi Djoko Guritno and Dr. Agustinus Winarno, who are involved in the management of the facility, and received explanations about the university’s contribution to addressing local community challenges.
Ehime University will continue to further develop and expand its diverse exchanges with Gadjah Mada University in the future.
< Administrative Office of the President, Institute for International Relations >
Note 1:
JV-Campus stands for Japan Virtual Campus, an online international education platform originating in Japan.
Note 2:
A FabLab (Fabrication Laboratory) is a next-generation, community-based workshop equipped with a variety of digitally controlled fabrication machines, such as 3D printers and laser cutters.
It enables local residents to acquire practical manufacturing skills and to address individual and community challenges through hands-on creation.
The concept originated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2002 and has since expanded into a global network.