Yogyakarta, 10 June 2025 – Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has once again demonstrated its commitment to promoting innovation development and commercialisation, particularly in the fields of herbal medicine and cosmetics, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Martina Berto Tbk and PT Global Edukasi Talenta Inkubator (GETI)/Exporthub.id Ecosystem. The event, held at the University of Gadjah Mada’s Innovation and Creativity Hall (GIK), was attended by stakeholders from the industrial sector, academia, and researchers.
In her opening remarks, UGM Rector Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., emphasised the importance of collaboration between universities and industry to ensure that research outcomes are not confined to the laboratory but can be practically utilised by society. “UGM remains committed to promoting research and innovation development, particularly in the fields of herbal medicine and cosmetics. Through various funding and facilitation efforts, both internal and external, we strive to ensure that the innovative products produced are useful and competitive at both national and international levels,” she explained.
‘This is a shift that has been implemented over the past three years, where universities must have strong networks with industry,’ said Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia. She also added, ‘This collaboration is not only about creating innovation but also ensuring that the research produced can provide tangible benefits to society and be widely implemented to address various existing issues.’
This MoU covers cooperation in the fields of education, research, and community service for a period of five years. This collaboration is expected to identify leading innovations in the fields of herbal medicine and beauty, while also increasing the visibility and exposure of UGM research products. The event was also attended by several key industry figures, including Dr. Kilala Tilaar (CEO of Martha Tilaar Group), Bryan David Emil (President Director of PT Martina Berto Tbk), Amalia Susilowati, S.Str., M.M., CMT. (Director of PT Global Edukasi Talenta Inkubator/Exporthub.id Ecosystem), and Siswadhi Pranoto (Founder of ExportHub.id).
Dr. Kilala Tilaar, CEO of Martha Tilaar Group, expressed her appreciation for UGM’s initiative in promoting the development of natural-based cosmetic products. ‘This initiative is expected to serve as a platform for students to cultivate entrepreneurial spirit and make tangible contributions to the advancement of UGM,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Amalia Susilowati, CEO of PT Global Edukasi Talenta Inkubator (GeTI Incubator), nicknamed the ‘Export Woman,’ expressed optimism that this collaboration will open up broader opportunities for UGM’s innovative products to enter the global market. “Through this collaboration, we aim to identify innovations developed by faculty members/inventors at the university in the fields of herbal medicine and beauty, and enhance the visibility and exposure of these innovations,” she emphasised.
On this occasion, Gadjah Mada University will explore potential downstream collaboration for 28 innovative products in the fields of herbal medicine and cosmetics developed by interdisciplinary researchers from the Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Animal Science, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Agricultural Technology. The commercialisation of these innovative products is overseen by the UGM Science Techno Park (STP) and the Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO).
This interdisciplinary collaboration supports UGM’s efforts to build a holistic, integrated, and applied innovation ecosystem—as a tangible contribution of higher education institutions in addressing the challenges and needs of society and industry in a sustainable manner.
As part of the event series, a proposal for the Campus-Entrepreneurship Roadshow programme was submitted to the UGM Rector, a programme designed to foster entrepreneurial spirit among students and contribute meaningfully to campus development. The event series concluded with a visit to the Mini Expo and short-Pitching sessions at the Mini Expo area. Visitors had the opportunity to see and hear direct explanations about the products at the Mini Expo, which are innovations in the fields of herbal medicine and cosmetics developed by interdisciplinary researchers at UGM.
With the signing of this collaboration, UGM and its industry partners have opened opportunities and strengthened the innovation ecosystem in Indonesia, with the potential to bring tangible benefits to society.
Author: Adhitya
Editor: STP UGM
