25 Years of Synergy: A New Era of Research Collaboration, Dental Technology Advancement, and Education
Yogyakarta, 17 November 2025 — The Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), hosted a courtesy meeting with the official delegation from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, to strengthen collaboration in education, research, and health innovation development. The warm and collegial meeting marked a new chapter after more than 25 years of academic partnership.
The Groningen delegation was led by Professor Jacqueline (Rector of the University of Groningen), accompanied by interdisciplinary academics: Prof. Daan Westerbrink (Monetary Economics), Dr. Navika Purnamasari (Medical Sciences), Dr. Monize Caiado Decarli (Behavioral and Social Sciences), Dr. Elmer (Biomedical Engineering & Bioprinting), Prof. M.G. Posma (Global Health Economics), Dr. Wanli Zheng (Scientific Coordinator, Rudolf Agricola School), Professor Ruchi Bansal (Research Affiliate), and international relations representative John Flasey.
From FKG UGM, the delegation was received by Dean of FKG UGM Prof. drg. Suryono, SH., MM., Ph.D, along with the Vice Deans, Heads of Departments, Heads of Study Programs, and six FKG UGM faculty members who are doctoral alumni of the University of Groningen.
The atmosphere reflected renewed enthusiasm between two major institutions with strong research track records, particularly in health sciences, biomaterial engineering, artificial intelligence, and modern dentistry.
Dean of FKG UGM: “A New Era of Collaboration, an Era of Research Downstreaming”
In his remarks, Prof. Suryono stated that 2026 represents a strategic momentum as FKG UGM enters a new phase as a center of socio-entrepreneurship. FKG UGM positions research-based innovation, downstreaming of health products, and international collaboration as key pillars.
Innovation Based on Indonesia’s Natural Resources
UGM showcased several research products ready for downstream commercialization, including:
- Calcium-based bone grafts derived from local biological resources
- Herbal toothpaste and dental biomaterials based on natural ingredients
- Regenerative materials and advanced dental composites
- Biomimetic-based health products
“Indonesia possesses immense natural resource wealth. We hope that collaboration with the University of Groningen will drive biomaterial innovation and health products toward the global market,” said the Dean of FKG UGM.
Rector of the University of Groningen: “25 Years of Partnership—Now It Is Time to Go Further”
Professor Jacqueline expressed deep appreciation for the long-standing relationship with UGM.
“We have maintained a partnership with UGM for more than 25 years—a collaboration that began within the faculty of dentistry and has since evolved into a multidisciplinary partnership. We are greatly looking forward to a broader and stronger new phase of collaboration,” she stated.
Groningen reaffirmed its interest in expanding cooperation in:
- Biomedical engineering & 3D bioprinting
- Oral health & microbiome
- Material science dan regeneratif
- AI, imaging, dan high-performance computing (AI Factory Groningen)
- Public health & healthy aging research
Role of Groningen Alumni at UGM: Now in Leadership Positions
FKG UGM highlighted that six Groningen alumni now serve as key leaders within the faculty:
- drg. Margareta Rinastiti, M.Kes., Sp.KG. Subsp.KR(K)., Ph.D
- Prof. drg. Rosa Amalia, M.Kes., Ph.D, FISDPH, FISPD
- drg. Hendri Susanto, M.Kes., Ph.D., Sp. PM
- drg. Poerwati Soetji Rahajoe, Sp.BM.(K), Ph.D
- drg. Aryan Morita, M.Sc., Ph.D
- drg. Heribertus Dedy Kusuma Yulianto., M.Biotech., Ph.D
“Groningen alumni have now become strategic leaders in this faculty. They bring world-class research standards and academic ethos gained from their education at UG,” said the Vice Dean for Cooperation, drg. Trianna Wahyu Utami, MDSc., Ph.D.
(Reporter: Andri Wicaksono, Photo: Fajar Budi Harsakti)
