United States Agency International Development (USAID) continues to seek for partners in Indonesian higher learning institutions to formulate development strategy through several activities. The goal of the partnership is to encourage academic cooperation, especially related to science and technology. Partnerships are expected to help improve Indonesian higher learning capacities and contributions to resolve various development issues.
Hanif Saleh, Program Development Specialist of USAID, said that USAID programs help DIKTI improve higher learning sector. Therefore, several universities are selected to guarantee management and quality.
Through various scholarship schemes, USAID gives an opportunity for outstanding people to continue education for a degree or non-degree in education, economics, environment, health, democracy, and governance. “These are all for supporting US-Indonesian partnership by providing opportunities for higher degree pursuits at US universities,” Hanif Saleh said at the building which once was the Post-Graduate Library of UGM, Friday (27/1) during Socialisation of Partnership Programs in Higher Learning.
Hanif Saleh said that between year 2012-2016 USAID is more directed towards master and non-degree programs in the U.S. to third-word countries, including Indonesia. The program enhances and extends the basic skills of those who are high performing, professional and those in Indonesian public institutions and private sector. “With the partnership program, collaborative project funds between US-Indonesian higher learning are expected to enhance quality of teaching, research and community service. Various topics that are expected this year are public health, education, protection of environment/climate change, empowerment of civil society, economic growth and agriculture,” he added.
During the socialisation held by American Corner UGM and USAID, Hanif hoped that USAID would get input from UGM academic community on some programmes that have been running. The cooperation is expected to increase the number of students wanting to study in the US. “USAID has long partnered with UGM. As such, we hope that UGM would cooperate with other universities in order to bring them closer to this programme,” he added.
Deputy to Senior Vice Rector for International Affairs, Dr. Eng. R. Rachmat A. Sriwijaya S.T., M.T., said that UGM has been cooperated with US Universities up to now. Over 40 US universities have established partnerships with UGM. “Hopefully, with this socialisation the number of participating universities would increase in the future,” he concluded.