UMS and Korean Industrial Partners Agree on MoA to Boost Pharmaceutical and Food Research

The Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Hum., signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with three industries from South Korea engaged in drug and food research and innovation. The agenda took place as part of the series of events under the Academia, Business, Government (ABG) Collaboration Festival held at the office of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BPOM RI).

The signing of this MoA is an effort to strengthen UMS’s international network in promoting research downstreaming and increasing innovation capacity in the health sector. Collaboration with Korean industries, known for their strong reputation in pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, food safety, and the development of advanced technology-based health products, is expected to significantly accelerate the quality of research within UMS.

Harun emphasized that this international partnership is an implementation of the Triple Helix ABG (Academia, Business, Government) and the Triple Helix of Academics THT (Appropriate Technology, Downstreaming, Commercialization). He noted that universities must open themselves to global collaboration that enables knowledge transfer, strengthened research methodologies, and opportunities for commercialization of research outcomes with industry partners.

“The signing of this MoA is also part of UMS’s efforts to reinforce its position as a research university with international competitiveness,” stated the Rector of UMS, Saturday (15/11/2025).

The collaboration with the three Korean industries includes several strategic development focuses, namely:

• Research on drug formulation and active pharmaceutical ingredients,
• Development of functional foods and health supplements,
• Innovation in drug and food safety testing technology,
• Opportunities for downstreaming and joint industrial-scale production,
• As well as researcher exchanges and human resource capacity development.

The presence of Korean industries at the forum held in Jakarta aligns with BPOM RI’s efforts to engage 37 industries from both domestic and international sectors in strengthening the national innovation ecosystem. The signing of the MoA by UMS forms part of the academic contribution to building a collaborative network that is concrete and impact-oriented.

Harun also reminded that all established collaborations must be executed in a planned and measurable manner, not merely stop at document signing. He emphasized the importance of forming working groups or thematic consortia so that the implementation of the MoA can be closely monitored and produce research outputs that are relevant for Indonesia and the global community.

“The signing of this MoA is a strategic momentum for UMS in expanding its international partnerships and strengthening the contribution of university research to the development of the national health sector through advanced technology–based drug and food innovation,” he asserted.

Writer: Fika Annisa Sholihah

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid