Udayana University Strengthens Research and Innovation Collaboration through the Signing of an MoU for the Development of an Ethnobotanical Garden

Denpasar – Udayana University (Unud) has officially established a collaboration with PT Hotel Indonesia Natour (HIN), also known as InJourney Hospitality, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of an Ethnobotanical Garden. The signing ceremony was held on Monday, 15 December 2025, at the Postgraduate Building, Udayana University Sudirman Campus, Denpasar. This collaboration focuses on strengthening applied research, science-based innovation, and the preservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The Rector of Udayana University, Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, S.T., Ph.D., emphasized that strategic collaboration between universities and industry partners is a vital foundation for producing research with tangible impacts on society.

“Udayana University continues to promote the realization of an Impactful Campus through strengthening collaboration with various stakeholders. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is part of the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly in the fields of research and community service that are applicative, contextual, and sustainability-oriented,” stated the Rector of Udayana University.

Furthermore, Prof. Ketut Sudarsana explained that the development of the Ethnobotanical Garden serves as a strategic platform for integrating local wisdom, modern science, and sustainability approaches.

“We view this collaboration as a living laboratory that enables lecturers, researchers, and students to contribute directly through ethnobotanical research, ethnomedicine, and nature-based health studies, in order to produce research outputs that hold both academic value and practical benefits for the community,” he added.

Through this collaboration, Udayana University plays an active role in conducting multidisciplinary research covering ethnobotany studies, plant conservation, biodiversity, sustainable landscapes, as well as the development of educational and interpretative garden content. The research outcomes will serve as a scientific foundation for plant collection arrangement, the development of educational narratives, and the design of learning and knowledge-based tourism programs.

In addition to generating applicable research outputs, this collaboration also serves as a platform for enhancing human resource capacity through the involvement of lecturers, researchers, and students of Udayana University in research and community service activities. The partnership is expected to drive innovation in the utilization of medicinal and culturally significant plants, while strengthening the contribution of higher education institutions to sustainable development.

In her presentation, Dr. Christine Hutabarat, S.S., M.M., President Director of PT Hotel Indonesia Natour (InJourney Hospitality), stated that the Ethnobotanical Garden being developed is also designed as an inclusive and sustainable green space, supporting environmental conservation efforts as well as strengthening nature-based health and wellness ecosystems.

Through the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, Udayana University reaffirms its commitment to continuously play an active role as a center for knowledge development that delivers tangible contributions to society, the environment, and national development.