Historically, there is fairly close relationship between Indonesia and India. The presence of Asian-African Conference (KAA) in Bandung became an obvious evidence of the historical relationship. Today, when many groups promote various progress of the Western world, there are also groups that promote the advances in the East which is the Asian region, not only issues regarding culture but also education.
"The attempt is to ‘look of Asia’, so that Asia is no longer underestimated compared to the Western countries or even labeled as poor and backward country," Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Science UGM, Dr Ida Rohani, said on the sidelines of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, International Seminar on Cultural and Historical Links Between India and South-East Asia in the Margono Djojohadikusumo Building, on Thursday (14/10).
The opening of the event was attended by the Ambassador of India to Indonesia, Biren Nanda, Rector of UGM, Prof Ir Sudjarwadi, M. Eng, Ph.D., and Vice President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Dr. Bharati Ray.
Ida said that in the past when we talked about education, then centers were the campuses in the U.S., Europe or Australia. But that has begun to shift. Universities and colleges in Asia have been empowering their teachers and students. Exchange of students and lecturers, research has been done quite often.
"Asian countries, China, Thailand and Indonesia continue to rise at the global level, including in researches that are conducted by its students and lecturers," Ida said.
Meanwhile, in his speech Ambassador Biren Nanda mentioned the historical relationship between India and Indonesia. In addition, he said that India continues to promote development and cooperation with ASEAN countries, including Indonesia.
“We develop our education, culture, investment, tourism, health, transportation and infrastructure," Biren said.
There have been many interactions that involve both sides. He gave an example of batik creation, arts, songs and dances that adapt to each other.
Similarly, the Rector of UGM mentioned about the historical relationship between Indonesia-India. He even called that relationship as a ’romantic call ‘. The historical relationship is expected to improve for the benefit of mankind in the future.
"The improvement of the relationship is expected to generate a joint benefit for the mankind," the Rector said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bharati Ray, explained that Indonesia’s position is very important for India. In fact, he referred Indonesia as part of their religion. The seminar that was held today, Bharati added, is the beginning that is expected to be enhanced in the future.
"Of course, we hope that we can continue to improve the mutual cooperation relationship, be it religion, culture, education and so on. In terms of education, we also have provided hundreds of scholarships for university students in Asia,"Bharati said.
Bharati added that the cooperation relationships that are implemented through the seminar are expected to be a policy reference that refers to Eastern cultures and no longer oriented to the West. Countries such as India and Indonesia have distinctive characteristics and identities from Western countries.
"Countries in the Eastern region have their own identity compared to Western countries," he explained.
The opening event also featured music and dance that reflect the links and the development of the Indonesian-Indian culture.