For the development of regional studies in the realm of social and political science in Indonesia, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM will officially open the "Sociedad de Indonesia para America Latina" (SIpAL) or "Indonesian Society for Latin America". SIpAL will be launched by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, on Monday, 14 June 2010.
Drs. Riza Noer Arfani, M.A., lecturer of Department of International Relations mentioned that the establishment of SIpAl is a follow-up of international cooperation between the Faculty and various foreign institutions to develop academic network. "For the development of cooperation with higher education institutions in Latin America, the Faculty, supported by UGM Planning and Development Office and Office of International Affairs, has initiated cooperation with University of Sao Paulo (USP) for the field of socio-humanities since last year," he explained on Thursday (10/6).
Further he said that SIpAL followed a series of lectures and activities of the Latin American studies cluster in the International Relations department which has been running since three years ago. Currently, the program covers seven main areas, such as America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia/Pacific. In the UGM curriculum, Latin American studies are discussed in two courses, Political Governance in Latin America and Seminar on Latin America. "Through these two subjects, observers of Latin America group has formed in UGM, which does not only study this region in terms of academic standpoint, but also arts, cuisine, and lifestyle," he explained.
Besides the opening of SIpAL, a general lecture is also scheduled to be given on the Faculty's second floor of Seminar Room Library Unit I by Mexican Ambassador to Indonesia, Dr. Melba Pria. The Ambassador will present Mexico's experience as one key country in the political arena of Latin America.