Yogyakarta, June 8, 2026 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the University of Leeds (UoL), United Kingdom, have initiated discussions on a potential academic collaboration through a Double Degree (DD) program at the doctoral level. The preliminary meeting was held online on Monday (June 8) and brought together representatives from the Faculty of Environment at the University of Leeds, along with faculty leaders, graduate program representatives, and related offices from UGM.
The meeting marked a strategic step toward strengthening international collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in areas aligned with the Faculty of Environment’s expertise, including transportation, environmental pollution, water resources, geology, and other environmental studies. Representatives from the University of Leeds included Prof. Dr. Guy Ziv (Professor in Socio-Environmental Systems), Prof. Dr. Zia Wadud (Professor of Mobility and Energy Futures), Dr Desy Ayu Pirmasari (Lecturer in School of Geography), and Matthew Butler, International Partnerships Officer. UGM was represented by leaders from the Faculty of Geography, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School, Directorate of Global Relations and Partnerships (DKRG), and related doctoral programs. The Doctoral Program in Environmental Science at UGM Graduate School was represented by Professor Eko Haryono and Dr. Priyaji Agung Pambudi.
During the discussion, both institutions exchanged information regarding their academic profiles, research strengths, curriculum structures, and opportunities for developing a doctoral education program that would enable students to earn degrees from both universities through a double degree scheme. The meeting also served as an initial platform to identify academic compatibility and research collaboration opportunities that could support future program implementation.
As a follow-up, each relevant study program at UGM will provide detailed information on its curriculum, research excellence, and potential academic collaborations to the University of Leeds. These materials will serve as the foundation for jointly designing and developing the proposed double degree framework.
In addition to academic matters, the discussion explored various funding opportunities to support the implementation of the program. Potential funding sources identified include Indonesia’s LPDP scholarship scheme, international funding opportunities such as the British Council’s Transnational Education (TNE) Exploratory Grants, as well as institutional support from both universities, including tuition fee discounts, research scholarships, and other academic funding mechanisms.
Through this initiative, UGM and the University of Leeds reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing higher education and research focused on sustainability, innovation, and human resource development in environmental fields. The initiative also contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through strengthened academic collaboration, environmental research, and international partnerships.
Looking ahead, both institutions expect this exploratory initiative to evolve into a more concrete and sustainable partnership, providing broader opportunities for doctoral students to gain international academic and research experience while strengthening the contribution of UGM and the University of Leeds in addressing global environmental challenges through innovative and impactful solutions.
Author: Ulyn Nuha