SU and Universitas Kristen Indonesia seal partnership with a Memorandum of Agreement

Silliman University (SU) and Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on March 14, 2024, which aimed “to develop collaborative activities in academic areas of mutual interest” in the fields of education, research, and community services.

SU President Dr. Betty Cernol McCann signed the MoA with UKI Director of International Office Angela Asri Purnamasari in the presence of UKI Rector Prof. Dr. Dhaniswara K. Harjono, Dean of Faculty of Vocational Studies Dr. Maksimus Bisa Lado Purab, and Adventus Lumban Batu, UKI vice dean during a Zoom conference hosted by SU at the Board Room, 2F, Ruiz Administration Hall.

UKI Rector Prof. Dr. Dhaniswara K. Harjono, in his welcome remarks, highlighted that this collaboration between UKI and SU will definitely leave a profound impact on the three pillars of higher education, namely education, research, and community services.

“As we embark on this journey of collaboration, we strongly believe that through our continuing cooperation and realization of shared goals, we will truly achieve more,” Hajorno said.

“I’m sure that we can collaborate extensively in the three mentioned fields. Being in the same region, we have similar challenges that we have to cope and I personally believe that our cooperation will benefit our nations,” he added, noting that this collaboration is centered around the respective institutions’ students “as they will be the actors of the future” and will “impact the welfare of our peoples.”

Minutes after the signing of the MoA, Dr. McCann remarked on the significance of SU’s sealed partnership with UKI.

“To us, this is a momentous occasion because it allows us to reach out to our sisters and brothers in Indonesia. This will be an agreement on three major pillars of the university namely, in the area of teaching or education, in the area of knowledge transfer and generation or research, as well as in community outreach or community service,” McCann said.

“In all three pillars, Silliman University would like to establish a concrete partnership with UKI. From hereon, we would like to have an operationalization of what we just signed into something that’s tangible and workable,” she added.

Acknowledging that some initial arrangements have already been made between UKI and Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista for SU’s Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences, particularly its Physical Therapy program, prior to the signing of the MoA, McCann also pointed out that SU is very much interested in technology transfer and educational technology innovations, major thrusts spearheaded by the university president.

“So there is so much to do,” McCann said, acknowledging that the signing will be the step in the right direction for the strength of both universities.

On a lighter note, McCaAnn also hoped for an occasion where both institutions will be able to meet in person in the future.

Dr. Edna Gladys T. Calingacion, SU Office of Student Services (OSS) dean who spoke at the signing ceremony, thanked UKI for the opportunity “to have a permanent avenue for cooperation and collaboration.”

Drawing on both Christian institutions’ similarities in terms of their respective history, aspirations, language, and cultural heritage, Calingacion said, “There is much to explore in this sisterhood that we are about to bring to permanent anchor.”

“Silliman is excited [to journey] with you in your excellence with law, social and political science, business economics, education, engineering, medicine, architecture, and vocational studies,” she added.

Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI), a private institution of higher learning, was established in 1953. UKI has its origins in a commission led by Prof. Dr. I.P. Simanjuntak, MA, which was
formed by an organization called the Indonesian Church Council. UKI is located in Jakarta,
Indonesia, duly existing under and by the laws of Indonesia, and is represented by its UKI Rector Prof. Dr. Dhaniswara K. Harjono, SH, MH, MBA.

This agreement, Calingacion maintained, symbolizes a partnership which will lead to many new joint research initiatives that will “produce new synergies and add academic value for both UKI and SU in the years ahead.”

The ceremony also included brief presentations of each institution. UKI, through Dr. Rer. Pol Ied Veda R. Sitepu, Student Affairs and Cooperation vice rector, presented a video on UKI’s Profile of Excellence. Meanwhile, Dr. Warlito S. Caturay Jr., SU Office of Media and Public Affairs (formerly the Office of Information and Publications) director, presented the 5Cs of Silliman.

Among others that represented SU during the MoA signing ceremony were Dr. Mae Brigitt L. Villordon, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) dean; Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista, IRS director; Glynnis Jean C. Casiño, Office of Strategic Partnerships officer-in-charge (OIC); Moses Joshua B. Atega, International Student Center head; and Russel Rhay E. Basiao, Global Studies Center (GSC) Nondegree Program Unit manager.