RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta has taken a significant step toward advancing sustainable water governance by partnering with South Korean technology company Stellarvision.

The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Proof of Concept (PoC) Agreement on July 10, 2026, focuses on developing satellite‑based technology to detect underground water pipe leaks, an issue that has long posed challenges for resource efficiency.

The signing ceremony at UGM was attended by Stellarvision researcher Junse Oh, alongside UGM’s delegation led by UGM's Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Cooperation, Danang Sri Hadmoko.

The partnership also carries symbolic weight, as it involves UGM alumni now working professionally at Stellarvision, reinforcing the university’s global network of expertise.

Danang expressed appreciation for the collaboration, stressing its potential to deliver innovative solutions to water management challenges.

“We appreciate the trust given to UGM to jointly develop research and technology that can address major challenges in water governance, particularly in detecting underground pipe leaks that have been difficult to identify,” he said earlier this week, as quoted on the university's official website.

The project will integrate Stellarvision’s FluidVision technology, which utilizes Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery, with UGM’s Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT) testbed in Sleman Regency.

Over six months, controlled simulations of pipe leaks will be conducted to test and refine the system’s effectiveness.

UGM emphasized that the research will be carried out with strict adherence to professional standards, including intellectual property protection and data confidentiality.

“UGM is committed to ensuring that all research and leak simulations over the next six months are conducted professionally. Intellectual property rights and data confidentiality of both parties will be fully protected under UGM’s internal regulations and Indonesian law,” Danang affirmed.

He also extended gratitude to the teams that prepared the collaboration, including PIAT, the Inter‑University Center of Excellence (PUAPT) Working Group on Water Security, and other stakeholders involved in planning and execution.

Looking ahead, Danang expressed optimism that the partnership will yield innovations with broad societal benefits.

“We hope this initial step--built on trust, synergy, and integrity--will run smoothly and deliver tangible benefits to society through the development of more effective and sustainable water resource management technologies,” he concluded. ***