The connection between Indonesian and Japanese universities is getting more intensive. This is reflected in the Rector’s forum that is held annually.
After the first successful meeting in Nagoya, in 2012 UGM is named host institution in 2013. As many as 43 delegates from 21 Japanese and Timor Leste universities as well as 60 participants from 25 Indonesian universities participated in the event lasting from 12-14 December 2013 at UGM.
“This is a bilateral relationship between the two countries, university to university. After the meeting last year in Nagoya, this is our second meeting. We want to have more comprehensive cooperations following this forum,” said Rector, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc., Sc, in the Senate Hall on Friday (13/12).
The Rector hoped many Indonesian universities would make use of this forum by establishing cooperation with higher learning in Japan. “In the future, the challenges are green economy and green energy issues; UGM wants to develop cooperation on those areas in the future,” he said.
He said fossil fuel is depleting. Therefore, higher learning institutions have to start to develop environmentally friendly energy. One of the efforts is to increase the quality of innovative research. “We can learn from Japan on technology; on the other hand we want to make use of our rich biodiversity,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Herry Suhardiyanto, Secretary General of Rectors’ Council, welcomed the event. He said most Indonesian universities have developed a productive cooperation with several universities in Japan individually or through university. The conference is expected to provide a strong platform for cooperations in the future. “We hope through this forum we would be able to develop a more intensive and productive cooperation,” he said.
The conference that is assessed as a partnership to bridge the theoretical and the practical worlds is expected to develop green energy and some other researches. Cooperation between Indonesian and Japanese universities is expected to be able to develop education programme for doctoral level, student exchange, double degree and sandwich program, and joint research. “We would like to explore as well as promote qualified education and research by building a flexible and multi-disclipinary framework,” he said.
The meeting is also attended by President of Nagoya University, Prof. Michinari Hamaguchi, and Vice Ambasador of Japan, Mr. Shindo Yasuke, as well as some delegates from Japan universities.