Amid the increasingly dynamic landscape of health higher education, the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) and the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Jember (FKG UNEJ) share a common perspective: dental education must become more adaptive. This vision was formalized through the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) on February 7, 2026, covering education, research, and community service in the field of dentistry.
From Quality Assurance to Market Responsiveness
The agreement was signed by the Dean of FKG UNEJ, drg. Dwi Kartika Apriyono, M.Kes., Sp.OF(K), and the Dean of FKG UGM, Prof. drg. Suryono, S.H., M.M., Ph.D. It underscores both institutions’ commitment to strengthening the tridharma of higher education through synergistic and productive collaboration.
In his remarks, Prof. Suryono emphasized that the challenges in dental education are no longer limited to quality assurance, but also involve sustainability and adaptability.
“Ensuring quality does not necessarily ensure sustainability. The key is adaptability. If we fail to keep up with change, we will fall behind,” he stated.
He also highlighted the uneven distribution of dental health professionals, which could pose an existential challenge for educational institutions if not addressed collaboratively. To tackle this, FKG UGM promotes a socio-entrepreneurshipapproach—developing education based on social entrepreneurship that fosters mutual partnerships with government and academic institutions.
“We do not see competitors—we see complementary partners. Let’s move forward together,” he added.
Meanwhile, FKG UNEJ Dean drg. Dwi Kartika Apriyono expressed pride in renewing strategic collaboration with FKG UGM. As the faculty marks its 31st year, it is working to strengthen both its academic capacity and clinical services.
“We are still learning. We are currently developing an oral surgery specialty program and must align with market needs,” he said.
He added that institutional policies must continue to evolve so that dental faculties are not only focused on quality assurance but are also responsive to real societal and workforce demands.
Comprehensive Scope: From Education to Intellectual Property
In education, FKG UGM will provide teaching staff support to FKG UNEJ through annual contracts in accordance with regulations. FKG UNEJ will also have opportunities to send faculty members for postgraduate studies—specialist training (PPDGS), master’s, and doctoral programs—at FKG UGM. The collaboration includes curriculum development consultations and shared access to library facilities for both faculty and students.
In research, the institutions agreed to conduct joint studies, establish a communication forum for dental biomedical research in Indonesia, and organize research methodology courses, including proposal consultation and data analysis. Research outputs will be jointly published upon mutual agreement.
Equally important, in community service, both faculties will design integrated programs and collaboratively deliver dental health services.
Toward a Collaborative Dental Education Ecosystem
This partnership does not exist in isolation. Nationally, dental education faces complex challenges: increasing numbers of graduates, demands for global competencies, rapid digital advancements, and the need for dental services in underserved areas.
By integrating resources and academic networks, FKG UGM and FKG UNEJ aim to build a collaborative ecosystem that is mutually reinforcing. This partnership also reflects a paradigm shift—from inter-institutional competition to strategic collaboration based on complementarity.
Amid ongoing change, both institutions recognize that sustainability is not merely about reputation, but about staying relevant—adapting to the times, responding to societal needs, and embracing collaboration.
The future of dental education is not built alone. It emerges from a shared commitment to collaborate, learn, and move forward together.
(Editor: Andri Wicaksono, Photography: Fajar Budi Harsakti)
