Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Youth and Sports cooperated with Gadjah Mada University (UGM) to conduct research in the field of youth to encourage sports achievements and youth independence in the country.

The cooperation was marked by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali and UGM Chancellor Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono at the UGM Central Building, Yogyakarta, on Friday.

The minister of youth and sports highlighted the importance of cooperating with universities in conducting studies and research on youth in order to assist the government in issuing policies that are based on in-depth research results.

“We put higher education at the forefront of youth and sports. In the field of youth, the role of universities is vital and strategic because any policy from the government cannot be separated from comprehensive studies and research," Amali stated in a press release received here.

The minister noted that the achievement of the youth development index had not been maximal and had also decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, as there were not many programs for youth that could be implemented.

The achievement value of Indonesia's Youth Development Index in 2020 was 51.00, down by 1.67 points from 2019. Meanwhile, Indonesia's Youth Development Index target in 2024 is 57.67.

The minister is optimistic that the youth studies, training, and empowerment conducted by UGM would encourage the Indonesian youth to be more creative, innovative, independent, and competitive.

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Meanwhile, UGM Chancellor Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono welcomed the cooperation in education, research, and youth and sports empowerment.

He expressed hope that the cooperation between UGM and the Ministry of Youth and Sports would encourage youth activities and increase sports achievements at the international level.

Mulyono noted that Indonesia's achievements in sports could not be separated from the contribution of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in improving sports and youth activities and also collaborating with UGM for research on health and fitness, nutrition, and sports techniques.

"UGM will be ready and continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in developing and advancing sports in the country," the UGM Chancellor remarked.

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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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