MIPA Innovation Matchmaking Day 2026 Connects Industrial Challenges with Scientific Excellence

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held MIPA Innovation Matchmaking Day 2026 on Thursday, September 24, at the Herman Johannes Auditorium, FMIPA UGM. Held as part of the faculty’s 71st anniversary celebrations, the event brought together faculty members, industry representatives, and government officials to explore opportunities for collaboration between scientific expertise and needs across different sectors.

Carrying the theme “Connecting Industrial Challenges with Scientific Excellence,” the event provided a forum for participants to exchange views on challenges outside the academic environment. It also gave FMIPA UGM an opportunity to look into areas that could be further developed through its scientific expertise and innovation.

FMIPA UGM Dean Prof. Dr. Eng. Kuwat Triyana, M.Si., said that the issues raised by partners could open up opportunities for further development. He said the forum allowed FMIPA UGM to look at areas that could be developed together with its partners.

“We will listen to the issues brought up by the speakers so that they can be further developed.” Prof. Kuwat said.

MIPA Innovation Matchmaking Day 2026 brought in speakers from the energy, upstream oil and gas, and government sectors. They included: 

• Ahmad Najihal Amal, Vice President of Exploration Technical Excellence & Coordination at PT Pertamina Hulu Energi; 
• Lulut Sugianto, Vice President of Upstream Services at PT Elnusa Tbk; 
• Teguh Suroso, Principal Innovation Geophysics at PT Pertamina Hulu Energi; and 
• Roki Gangsar Winoto, Head of the Insurance and Social Protection Working Team at the Directorate General of Budget Financing and Risk Management, Ministry of Finance.

During the discussion, Ahmad Najihal Amal said challenges in the industry, particularly in the upstream sector, go beyond technical matters. Economic, political, social, and communication aspects also need to be taken into account, requiring input from different fields of knowledge.

“In the upstream sector, we also focus on other areas. There are economic, political and social aspects, and communication is also very important,” Ahmad said.

The participation of speakers from different sectors brought in perspectives on workplace needs and challenges beyond higher education. The exchange also opened up opportunities for FMIPA UGM to connect its academic expertise with the needs of industry and government.

>The event was attended by faculty members and doctoral students from the 2025–2026 cohort. Through the matchmaking forum, participants could exchange ideas and build connections with different stakeholders as part of efforts to develop collaboration in science and innovation.

MIPA Innovation Matchmaking Day 2026 also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. Bringing together universities, industry, and government can open up opportunities for cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration while supporting the development of science and innovation that responds to societal needs.

Writer: Inna Mutifah
Photographer: Afiandina Sukma