The US Embassy in Jakarta has encouraged increased cooperation between UGM and universities in the USA. That was said by US Ambassador Cameron Hume, responding to the suggestion from the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng. Ph.D., that UGM can become a cooperation hub between US Universities and a number of Indonesian universities.
The visit made by Ambassador Hume and delegates was to respond to an invitation from UGM related to the World Conference on Science, Education and Culture 2010 that UGM plans to hold this October. Also present was the Director General for the Americas and Europe of the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Retno L.P. Marsudi. They were received at the Multimedia Room, UGM Central Office, Thursday (21/1).
The Ambassador said that he welcomed the plan for more intense partnership between Indonesian and US universities. “I truly welcome the initiative of UGM and other universities to participate (in the partnership),†he said.
He added that cooperation between Indonesia and the US is in the form of, among others, training in state financial system. “I believe that this will be a productive cooperation,†he said. Related to the World Conference to be held in Grha Sabha Pramana, the Ambassador gave his support. He is ready to give assistance in running the event.
The Rector said that the World Conference is focused on science, technology, environment, health, archaeology, and culture. The main theme of the Conference is Local Wisdom Inspiring Global Solutions. “The Conference will prioritise on dialogue between experts, mass media, NGOs, and governments who are interested in the issue,†he said.
Sudjarwadi said that the findings of the experts in local wisdom can be applied to resolve global problems. “We believe that local wisdom is for advantages and humanity. We have invited experts to present their expertise and offer solutions for global problems,†he said. In that occasion, the Rector further explained the preparation for the I4 ((Association for Indonesian International Scientists) Secretariat in UGM Library. “This will serve to promote Indonesian science,†he added.
Director General Retno Marsudi expressed her optimism about the future of partnership between UGM and US universities, moreover that the US has agreed to build a better structure of cooperation. “Education is one focus between Indonesia and the US. We are trying to double the number of Indonesian students in the US. We are determined to work with UGM and the US Embassy for the World Conference,†she said.
In addition, Retno Marsudi said that this summer the US President Mr Barack Obama would visit Indonesia. This is based on his statement when meeting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Singapore not long ago. “President Obama will visit Indonesia with his family. He said that Yogyakarta is one of the places which he plans to visit,†said the alumnus of International Relations Department of UGM.