Center for World Trade Studies Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has been chosen as one of partners in WTO Chairs Program (WCP) launched by WTO Secretariat recently. This is an academic cooperation initiative of WTO Secretariat in teaching, research and other development projects in 14 selected universities in several developing countries. “From the total of 70 proposals, 14 proposals have competitively been selected, involving WCP Advisory Board,†said Executive Secretary, Riza Noer Arfani, in a release on Thursday (4/2).
Riza said that WCP was designed to help national academic institutions understand trade policy issues and enhance participation of recipient countries in international trade through input analysis on formulation and implementation of trade policy that will be determined in WTO. “WCP will help process skills improvement of academicians in trade policy so that capacity of developing countries will be stronger and more ready in realising global trade,†said Riza Noer Arfani.
Riza added that WCP gives special attention to trade policy, international trade, international relations, and international economics law. WCP even provides funds worth 50,000 CHF (Swiss Francs) per year for each university for up to four years.
By the end of this cooperation, it is expected that the existing programs can be consolidated and continued with the financial support from other sources. WCP will always be involved in the planned programs as long as possible and wanted by the related institutions. “This program can be extended to other institutions in long term to build a network between related universities and individuals,†he explained.