NEWS UNAIR – For the first time, Center for Indonesian Studies was established in Taiwan. The center was a collaboration of and Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. The inauguration of the Center for Indonesia Studies took place at Asia University on Tuesday, August 7.
The inauguration was attended by officials from Asia University and 51动漫. Director General of Taiwanese Ministry of Education Andy Cheu-An Bi greatly appreciated the initiation of UNAIR Rector Prof. Moh. Nasih to open a Center for Indonesian Studies in Taiwan.
“This is the first center of studies in Taiwan managed by a university from Indonesia. We highly appreciated this effort. It shows the collaboration between Indonesian and Taiwanese universities which are getting stronger to study the culture, language, history and geography of both Indonesia and Taiwan, “said Andy.
In addition, Andy also supports and welcomes UNAIR Rector initiative to form the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD). Andy hoped that the WUACD can join Universities’ Social Responsibility (USR) in Taiwan.
In the inauguration, Siswadi, Deputy Representative Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei, in his speech said that every year the number of students from Indonesia in Taiwan is increasing, so this initiative from UNAIR Rector to open the center for Indonesian studies is significant.
Siswadi hoped that UNAIR will not only open a Center for Indonesia Studies at Asia University, Taiwan, but also at NTUST (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology) Taipei, which is the university with most Indonesian students in Taiwan.
Attracting interests of Taiwanese students to study in Indonesia
In addition to the inauguration of Center for Indonesia Studies, there was also a Training of Trainers (ToT) for Indonesian language courses by UNAIR lecturers for Indonesian language teachers at Asia University, Taiwan. Indonesian language courses were also given to students of Asia University and other universities by UNAIR lecturers and teachers who have passed the ToT.
There were also guest lectures by UNAIR lecturers on Indonesian studies, not only in social humanities field, but also health science and life science. The lectures will be held routinely in accordance with the field of expertise.
Regarding the inauguration of the Center for Indonesia Studies, Executive Director of Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE) UNAIR Prof., Dr., Drs., Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih M.Si. hoped there will be more and more Taiwanese students interested in learning about Indonesia and especially learning Indonesian.
“With the inauguration of the Center for Indonesia Studies, hopefully they (Taiwanese students, ed) will also be interested in studying in Indonesia, especially at UNAIR, through double degree schemes, mobility student programs, and staff exchange, both academic and non-academic or also called faculty exchange, “explained Prof. Nyoman.
Prof. Nyoman also said that this collaboration is expected to improve the achievements on international faculty, inbound students, and joint research of UNAIR.
After the inauguration of this center of studies, there will be a routine meeting for the establishment of Indonesian language activists and instructors affiliation Taiwan in the future. The books of UNAIR lecturers will also be exhibited in the Center for Indonesia Studies.
Previously, in September 2017, Taiwan Education Center (TEC) was also established in UNAIR. Various educational and cultural programs were held such as Mandarin language training and workshop for Mandarin teachers in East Java.
Author: Binti Q. Masruroh
Editor: Feri Fenoria Rifai
