YOGYAKARTA - So far, UGM has been cooperating with various universities in Asia such as China, Korea and Japan. Meanwhile, cooperation with Taiwan has not run as actively as with these three countries. This was emphasized by UGM Rector, Prof. Ir Sudjarwadi, M. Eng, Ph.D, receiving the visit made by Mr. P.Tsang-Yao Polo Chen, Ph.D., Director of Elite Study in Taiwan Program Office, authorized by the Taiwan Ministry of Education.
"Cooperation with Taiwan is not as aggressive as the cooperation with universities in China, Korea and Japan. Therefore, we will improve it in the future," Sudjarwadi said on Tuesday (31/8).
The Rector hoped that this kind of cooperation can be further improved. Although Sudjarwadi acknowledged that UGM’s cooperation with universities in Taiwan has been conducted, but if it is more organized through the Taiwan government, it will be better.
"The cooperation in the form of transfer or exchange of students and faculties has been done. But it would be better if it is organized by the Taiwan government," the Rector expected.
Meanwhile, the Head of UGM Office of International Affairs, Dr. Rahmat Sriwijaya, added that Mr. Polo Chen was a representative from Elite Study Organization of the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. One of the tasks of the organization is to promote and disseminate programs of universities in Taiwan.
"One of the tasks of the organization is the promotion and dissemination of Taiwan universities abroad, including Indonesia," Rahmat said.
Taiwan Higher Education (THE) Fair in 2010 will also be held on October 13 in Indonesia. The exhibition will provide information on the best universities in Taiwan along with scholarship program. Exhibitions were previously held at the University of Trisakti (Jakarta) and Syiah Kuala University (Banda Aceh).
"His visit is to prepare for Taiwan higher education exhibition on October 13. For UGM, we will also develop student, staff and faculty exchanges and joint research," he concluded.