ULM and PLN UIP3B Kalimantan Inaugurate Strategic Partnership in Research and Human Resources

Banjarmasin – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) continues to expand its collaborative network with the industrial sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PLN’s Main Unit for Development and Load Regulation (UIP3B) Kalimantan on Tuesday (July 15, 2025).

The event took place in the Sultan Adam Hall, PLN UIP3B Kalimantan Office, and was signed by ULM Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmad Alim Bachri, SE., M.Si., and PLN UIP3B Kalimantan General Manager Riko Ramadhano Budiawan.

This MoU marks the continuation of the collaboration between the university and industry, which previously ended in November 2024. The ULM Rector emphasized that this collaboration opens up various implementation opportunities in the fields of education, training, human resource competency development, research, and community service.

“ULM has superior resources, including high-standard laboratories, experts, and supporting institutions ready to collaborate in various collaborative schemes with PLN,” said the Rector.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of PLN UIP3B Kalimantan stated that the presence of academics is essential to strengthen PLN’s research and technology base, particularly in the development of big data, artificial intelligence, and safety device innovation. This collaboration could even encompass unexpected areas such as mitigating interactions between PLN infrastructure and wildlife.

“We are very open to developing ideas from ULM, both technically and socially. With this collaboration, we hope we won’t need to look for partners as far away as Java, as ULM is fully prepared and equipped,” said Riko Ramadhano.

This strategic collaboration is expected to not only strengthen ULM’s academic and research capacity but also make a tangible contribution to energy and technology development in Kalimantan. Both parties agreed to immediately follow up the MoU with various forms of Cooperation Agreements (PKS) in their respective fields, including the potential for the Independent Campus program, joint research, and industrial internships for students.