YOGYAKARTA- President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam and wife visited UGM, Friday (30/11). He is accompanied by Indonesian Education Minister M.Nuh. Mr. Tan had a dialogue with UGM leadership and students from various faculties at the Senate Hall.
Mr. Tan in his speech saw the important role of higher learning in the globalised era. The rapid global competition in education in his opinion is caused by human resource. “The more competitive education in the global level is due to human resource,” Mr. Tan said.
In the friendly dialogue, the President answered a question raised by a student about scholarship for study in Singapore. He said that Singapore gives opportunities for students from various countries, including Indonesia to study there. Study in Singapore does not mean studying one discipline of science only but may also study about that country. “Singapore is always open for study for international students under the scholarship scheme we offer,” he added.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc, explained that cooperation with Singapore has long been in place, one of these is with National University of Singapore (NUS) through student and faculty exchanges that has been extended to research area. Many academics from various countries study in Singapore. The visit of President Tony Tan enhanced UGM connections with various universities there,” said Pratikno.
Pratikno added the cooperation with universities in Singapore and other ASEAN countries is covered in The ASEAN University Network (AUN) in which UGM prioritises on important issues such as food, energy, disaster mitigation and environment and biodiversity.
“This is in line with UGM intention to become a Centre for Indonesian Knowledge and Resources in the world,” he explained.