News Index

UI-USINDO Cooperation

Posted by admin on 2010-03-11 09:33:13

The United States (US) is building a cooperation with Indonesia through an international conference called "The 2010 Indonesia-United States Comprehensive Partnership" on Tuesday, (02/03) in Aryaduta Hotel, Jakarta. The conference that was held in cooperation between Universitas Indonesia (UI) US-Indonesia community (USINDO), Indonesian Council on World Affair (ICWA), Center of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Modernisator, was attended by Vice Minister of National Education, Prof. Fasli Jalal, Special Staff for International Affair Presidency, Dr. Dino Patti Djalal, US Ambassador for Indonesia, Cameron Hume, Presidential Advisory Council, Prof. Emil Salim, and the President of UI, Prof. Dr. der Soz Gumilar R. Soemantri.

Cooperation in higher institution, creative trade solutions, business and investment, cooperation in overcoming climate change, sustainable regulatory on forest and peatlands, and also democracy and inter-religion values are parts of the agenda discussed in the conference that was held from 10.00 WIB to 17.30 WIB. Fasli Jalal, in his speech, said that the cooperation between Indonesia and US must be sustainable, free for all, and focused. Dino Pati Jalal also gave similar comments," Indonesia and U.S. have a good relationship so far, so cooperation in education, economics, social sciences, and humanities should be continues and mutually beneficial,” he said. The President of UI, on that occasion, was one of the speakers in the session: Cooperation in Higher Institution along with The President of Atmajaya University, F.G Winarno, the Director of Education in East-West Center, Hawaii, Terence Bigalke, The President of USINDO, David Merrill, and Indonesian Education Attaché for Washington DC, Totok Suprayitno.

In the session, UI President gave a presentation on UI and its development into a World Class University."UI a concept of Smart Education, Liberal Arts, and Knowledge Without Wall, is building a library that will be one of the biggest libraries in Southeast Asia, that is targeted to have 6-million-book collection.  Other than that, UI also has a plan to build a Center of Arts and Culture," said Mr. Gumilar. Meanwhile, The President of Atmajaya University, Jakarta discussed about entrepreneurship and creativities, which are missing from the higher institution in Indonesia."Before entering a school/academic institution, a child has a 98% of imagination in his/her mind. However, when he/she's learning in school, 30% of his/her imagination will be lessen, and will keep on decreasing in a higher level of academic institution," he explained. According to Winarno, it was caused by a less democratic teaching method. "Children are forced to be all the same and differences are considered as stupidity and embarrassment," he explained. Considering these, Terence Bigalke, David Merrill, and Totok Suprayitno argued that there must be a reinforcement of the cooperation either in basic or advanced level by Indonesian government and US government to develop teaching and knowledge comprehensively to both countries. This is meant to improve the weaknesses and intensify the strength of both countries. (Din/Rma)