Mataram, University of Mataram – The University of Mataram (Unram), in collaboration with the Sumbawa Regency Government, has signed a Cooperation Agreement on the provision of educational scholarships for students from Sumbawa Regency enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) Unram. The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in the Rector’s Conference Room at the Unram Rectorate Building.

The agreement was signed by Unram’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Sitti Hilyana, and the Regional Secretary of Sumbawa Regency, Dr. H. Budi Prasetiyo, S.Sos., M.AP. This agreement serves as a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed between the Rector of Unram and the Regent of Sumbawa Regency.

The Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D., in his remarks, expressed his appreciation for the support of the Sumbawa Regency Government toward higher education. He emphasized that this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to accelerating equitable access to education and producing highly qualified health professionals.

“There are currently 10 prospective medical graduates and 5 pharmacy students from Sumbawa Regency who have been awarded scholarships. This reflects the strong commitment of the Sumbawa Regency Government to advancing health education in West Nusa Tenggara,” he emphasized.

“I envision the University of Mataram not only as an institution for Lombok Island, but also for Sumbawa Island. This includes strengthening educational development, expanding the availability of medical specialists, and prioritizing services in remote areas to ensure equitable access to specialist healthcare,” he added.

The Rector also highlighted the persistent gap in the distribution of healthcare professionals between remote areas and the provincial center. To address this, the University of Mataram is committed to providing solutions through research, development, and community service.

“I envision Unram as an institution that generates real impact for regional communities not only as a place of learning, but as a university that actively contributes to development and public service,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary of Sumbawa Regency, Dr. H. Budi Prasetiyo, S.Sos., M.AP., expressed his appreciation for Unram’s support in developing human resources in Sumbawa, particularly in the health sector.

“This scholarship program holds significant value for us. Through this collaboration, we aspire to cultivate health professionals who will return to serve the people of Sumbawa, particularly in underserved areas,” he stated.

Through this partnership, Unram and the Sumbawa Regency Government aim to produce health professionals who are not only academically excellent but also committed to serving the people of West Nusa Tenggara, particularly in regions where the availability of medical personnel remains limited.