Dr Tahir and son contribute S$1 million to support SMU- Universitas Gadjah Mada collaboration

Singapore, 4 April 2016 (Monday) –  Dr Tahir (翁俊民), Founder of Indonesia’s Mayapada Group, and his son Jonathan Tahir (翁大川), have contributed S$1 million to establish the Tahir SMU-UGM Management and Faculty Development Programme (MFDP) at Singapore Management University (SMU).

The objective of the MFDP is for SMU to organise various events and programmes in collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) towards building academic excellence, as well as creating new opportunities for innovation and co-operation, so as to help nurture the next generation of scholars and leaders in Singapore and Indonesia. UGM is the oldest and largest institution of higher learning in Indonesia.

This gift agreement was signed in Jakarta today by Dr Tahir, Jonathan Tahir and SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer. Prof De Meyer also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on SMU-UGM collaboration with UGM Vice Rector Didi Achjari and Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Professor Wihana Kirana Jaya. The MOU entails faculty exchange and development, research initiatives, sharing of best practices in university governance, and exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer said, “SMU is very pleased to have Universitas Gadjah Mada as our first partner university in Indonesia. This collaboration will allow SMU faculty and students to acquire first-hand knowledge and experience in the largest economy and most populous nation in Southeast Asia, and promote knowledge exchange and interaction between the two universities. We believe these will help contribute to knowledge creation and talent development for both Singapore and Indonesia.

“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dr Tahir and Jonathan Tahir for their generosity and foresight in establishing the Tahir SMU-UGM Management and Faculty Development Programme at SMU. Dr Tahir had in 2014 set up two scholarships for Indonesian and Singaporean students studying at SMU. This latest contribution by Dr Tahir is yet another demonstration of his strong belief in SMU’s pedagogy and research strengths,” added Prof De Meyer. 

Dr Tahir said, “We all work towards building a better tomorrow and my wish is that this gift will allow these two very respected universities to further increase its capacity and transcend educational boundaries through the exchange of knowledge and scholarly ideas that will hopefully impact the greater educational sector in Asia. Initiatives such as faculty and student exchanges, as well as study missions will help with achieving better people-to-people understanding between the two countries."

Professor Dwikorita Karnawati, Rector of Gadjah Mada University said, "UGM is keen to collaborate with SMU, one of the best universities in business and management in Asia, to conduct faculty and students exchanges, undertake joint research into trade and culture, as well as technological innovation. UGM believes that entrepreneurship is one of the important pillars of our economic development. As such, UGM promotes socio-entrepreneurship so as to serve the interests and needs of society through an entrepreneurial approach. We are confident that this collaboration with SMU will help us achieve these goals for the benefit of Indonesia and Singapore."

[Photo: SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer (seated left) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on SMU-UGM collaboration with UGM Vice Rector Didi Achjari (seated right). Looking on were (from left) Jonathan Tahir; Dr Tahir; Professor Tan Chin Tiong, Senior Advisor to SMU President; Professor Wihana Kirana Jaya, Dean of UGM Faculty of Economics and Business; Dr Muhammad Edhie Purnawan, Vice Dean of UGM Faculty of Economics and Business; and Ms Yuliana, Chief Executive Office of Tahir Foundation.] 

[Featured photo: SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer (front left) presented a token to Dr Tahir (front right) in appreciation of the S$1 million contribution to establish the Tahir SMU-UGM Management and Faculty Development Programme at SMU.]