ULM Receives BRIN PKR Grant: The Only One from Kalimantan for Wetland Research
Banjarmasin – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has once again demonstrated its national prominence after its Wetland Environment Academic Support Unit (UPA LLB) was officially designated as a recipient of research facilitation funding under the Research Collaboration Center (PKR) program by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
This designation was announced in July 2025 through the PKR Facilitation Grant program, which BRIN offers year-round. Of the seven recipient universities, ULM was the only university in Kalimantan to qualify, along with Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the University of Indonesia (UI), and Hasanuddin University (Unhas).
PKR is a research collaboration program that connects BRIN researchers with academics from other universities and private partners. Through a facilitation grant scheme, this program does not directly fund research but instead strengthens institutions, networks, and supporting facilities to ensure optimal research.
ULM, through its Wetland Academic Implementation Unit (UPA LLB), submitted a proposal titled “Wetland Management” and successfully secured funding for the first three years. The Head of UPA LLB ULM, Dr. Eng. Maya Amalia, S.T., M.Eng., explained that this collaboration will focus on wetland agricultural research, involving lecturers from the Faculties of Agriculture, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Engineering.
“This collaboration will strengthen ULM’s research capacity in the wetlands sector, particularly related to sustainable agriculture. With BRIN’s support, we can access previously limited facilities and also open up opportunities for joint research grants,” she said.
Wetlands are a unique ecosystem in South Kalimantan that holds strategic ecological and economic value. Through the PKR, ULM is committed to promoting conservation, sustainable use, and making tangible contributions to research-based national development in wetland environments.
Throughout this period, ULM, through UPA LLB, has actively initiated mangrove conservation programs, established a 611-hectare research center in Kotabaru, and participated in international forums such as the World Water Forum. With this PKR, ULM further establishes itself as a center of excellence for wetland research in Indonesia.
The PKR program can run for up to seven years with annual evaluations. ULM targets strengthening research networks, increasing national and international publications, and producing wetland-related policy recommendations that benefit the government and the public.
This trust from BRIN (National Agency for Research and Innovation) provides a significant momentum for ULM to continue contributing to ecosystem preservation and improving community welfare. It also underscores ULM’s readiness to play a world-class role in wetland environmental research.
With this success, ULM not only solidifies its position as a leading university in Kalimantan but also expands its academic and community development impact at the national and international levels.
