Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted ASEA-UNINET Coordination Meeting on Wednesday (20/11), bringing together university representatives from ASEA-UNINET. They discussed collaborative practices as well as opportunities to expand the collaboration in the future.
“We would be delighted if more universities would join,” said Prof. A Min Tjoa, Coordinator for Technology, Innovation and Sustainability Projects for Europe.
ASEA-UNINET is a university network between European and Southeast Asian universities that aim to promote internationalisation of education and sustainable research. Established in 1994 by universities from Austria, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, now ASEA-UNINET has over 80 member universities from 18 countries.
He explained ASEA-UNINET has benefits to build and deepen academic relations and promote cooperation between European and ASEAN economic regions.
“ASEA-UNINET is a forum to share ideas in science, technology, and innovation areas with goals to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” he explained.
Furthermore, Prof. A Min Tjoa gave a presentation themed Strategic Programs and New Scheme of Funding 2020 and Beyond. It described the bilateral dan multilateral research that had been conducted as well as workshop, conference, summer school, and regular networking events.
He explained that Indonesian and Austrian universities had already established a collaboration for a long time, which explains the numerous Indonesian students in Austria, and vice versa.
Furthermore, to enhance the close relations, he suggested the formation of an organisation between Indonesia-Austria which can start in Indonesia by UGM and expands to other cities.
“In Austria there is already a community between Indonesia-Austria. So, we can work together in other areas, not only in science, but also cultures. UGM can start this initiative that can spread to Jakarta or Surabaya,” said Prof. Tjoa.