Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta (UPY) continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving the quality of education and enhancing students’ global competitiveness. This commitment was marked by the Signing and Exploration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UPY and Smart Bridge India, held on Tuesday (October 21, 2025), at the UPY Rector’s Meeting Room.
The event was attended by UPY’s leadership and representatives from Smart Bridge. From UPY, attendees included Drs. John Sabari, M.Si, Chairperson of the UPY Foundation Board; Prof. Dr. Ir. Paiman, M.Pd, Rector of UPY; Dr. Septian Aji Permana, M.Pd, Vice Rector III; and Dr. Wahyudi, M.Ed, Head of the Office of Cooperation Affairs (KUK).
Representing Smart Bridge India were Amarendar Katkam, Chief Executive Officer; Tutus Kusuma, Lead of Talent Initiatives – Indonesia; and Lawrence Mohanraj, Chief Growth Officer – Southeast Asia.
The signing of this MoU aims to create employment opportunities for UPY students and expand access to international certification programs that enhance their knowledge and skills. Through this partnership, Smart Bridge is expected to become a strategic ally in preparing UPY graduates to be more competent and competitive in the global workforce.
The event was conducted in a warm yet professional atmosphere. It began with welcoming remarks from both parties, followed by presentations outlining their visions, missions, and potential collaborative programs. The highlight of the ceremony was the official signing of the MoU, symbolizing the mutual commitment of both institutions.
The program concluded with a group photo session and a brief discussion on the implementation of a pilot project, which will serve as the initial step in realizing the concrete collaboration between UPY and Smart Bridge.
UPY Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Paiman, M.Pd, expressed his appreciation for the partnership, stating:
“This collaboration marks an important step in preparing UPY students to face global workforce challenges. Through certification and training programs facilitated by Smart Bridge, we hope our students gain practical experience and knowledge aligned with current industry needs.”
Meanwhile, Amarendar Katkam, CEO of Smart Bridge, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in developing human resources:
“We are very excited to collaborate with UPY. We believe this synergy will open pathways for students to access global opportunities and build the digital and professional competencies essential in today’s modern era.”
The partnership between UPY and Smart Bridge is expected not only to benefit students but also to serve as a foundation for expanding the university’s international network, strengthening industry-based curricula, and producing highly competitive graduates.