VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) and the University of Western Australia (UWA) have established a double degree master program in agricultural economics. In a press statement on Saturday (25/5), the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra announced that the agreement was reached during an intensive meeting of the delegations of the two universities at the UWA campus in Perth, Australia.

One of the key agreements reached in the meeting was the structure of a two-year master's program, which will be implemented across both campuses—one year at IPB and one year at UWA. The two universities also discussed the courses and the number of credits that can be recognized by each institution, detailing the specific courses to be taken at IPB and those at UWA.

IPB already has double degree master program cooperation with several leading universities worldwide, including institutions in Australia. However, IPB's agricultural economics graduate program, which is the oldest of its kind in Indonesia, is still relatively new in developing international cooperation, particularly in double degree programs.

Mukhamad Najib, Education and Cultural Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, stated that the Indonesian government encourages domestic universities to partner with international universities and fully supports the cooperation plan between IPB and UWA. Additionally, the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) currently offers double degree scholarships for master’s and doctoral levels, which can be utilized by both universities.

The Vocational School of Bogor Agricultural University   continues to strengthen the international network by signing a cooperation with Chuo Joho Institute of Information Technology of Japan. The signing of the memorandum of agreement was carried out by the Dean of the Vocational School of Bogor Agricultural University, Aceng Hidayat and the President of Chuo Joho Institute of Information Technology, Okamoto Hiroshi in Tokyo on Monday (20/5).   Aceng Hidayat has said that   this cooperation is designed to improve students’ competence through the 3+2 education program. The students will take three years of education at the Bogor Agricultural University and two years at Chuo Joho Institute. This program will provide them with valuable international experience.

Moreover, Aceng also conveyed this collaboration not only broadens the academic horizons of students, but also increases their competitiveness in the global job market, especially in Japan. This collaboration is also part of Bogor Agricultural University's efforts to continue to establish relationships with international institutions. Currently, Bogor Agricultural University has 17 study programs that are ready to collaborate with various institutions throughout the world. This collaboration covers various fields such as information technology, agriculture and business which can be of great benefit to students of Bogor Agricultural University. President of Chuo Joho Institute of Information Technology, Okamoto Hiroshi welcomed this collaboration and emphasized the importance of developing skills relevant to industry in Japan. He is committed to helping the university students to become skilled workers who are ready to enter the world of work in Japan.

Furthermore, on that occasion, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi expressed his support. Ambassador Heri has also explained that this cooperation aims to equip Bogor Agricultural University students especially from vocational schools, with the qualifications needed to get a job in Japan. He hopes similar cooperation can be implemented by other universities in Indonesia and institutes in Japan. He also hopes this cooperation becomes the the first step in expanding opportunities for Indonesian students to study and work in Japan as well as strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of education and labor. The Vocational School of the University is committed to continuing to strengthen its international cooperation in order to provide quality and globally relevant educational experiences for students. By establishing strategic collaborations with renowned institutions in various countries.By establishing strategic collaborations with renowned institutions in various countries, the University Vocational School seeks to equip students with skills and knowledge that are in accordance with the needs of the global industry, so that they are ready to compete and contribute to the international job market. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to improve the quality of vocational education and open up new opportunities for all students// that’s Diplomatic Corner

Indonesian students have made another proud for his international achievement. A 3rd-grade student at Brillikids Leadership Elementary School (SD) from Gorontalo, Gibran Abdila Taha, won first place in the prestigious International Student Speech Competition 2024. Previously, Gibran Abdila Taha managed to become the Indonesian regional winner in the 5 to 10 year old category. The International Student Speech Competition is an annual competition held by Franklin Covey, USA. This world competition is a forum for schools around the world to share stories and inspiration related to the implementation of leadership programs in their respective schools.

According to Ika Hadikum, Principal of Brillikids Leadership Elementary School Gorontalo, for 2024, there are 31 countries participating with a total of 2,100 participants divided into several categories, namely individuals aged 5 – 10 years, 11 – 15 years, 16 – 19 years , as well as the school category. To take part in this competition, the school made a video telling about the leadership projects carried out by the students which was uploaded on the organizer's official website. The video presentation by Gibran tells about the 'I am a leader' leadership project activities he carried out with class 3 Brillikids students on the coast of Whale Shark Beach, Botubarani, Bone Bolango. In this project, Brillikids students collaborated with SDN 2 Kabila Bone state elementary school students in carrying out beach clean-up activities. The waste they collect is then divided into two types, namely organic waste and inorganic waste. Inorganic waste is processed together into a collage in the shape of a whale shark. Meanwhile, organic waste is put into the biopore, so that it can decompose back into soil or compost.

The chairman of the Bina Insan Brillian Foundation, Dewi Rahmawaty Isa, said he was proud of Gibran Abdila Taha's victory, which proves that Gorontalo children have a lot of great potential and can compete at the international level.

Indonesian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) products such as batik, weaving, and coffee were visited by many local people and diplomats at the 57th Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar held at Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 17-19, 2024. From the first day, many people visited the bazaar of Indonesian booths, including loyal customers who are fans of Indonesian fashion products, including the wife of the Kenyan Ambassador to Thailand, Pamela Jebichii Kiptiness. As quoted by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Monday (5/20), Jebichii Kiptiness is very interested in batik. Therefore, last year she bought many products from the Indonesian booth.

At this year's Bazaar, Indonesia occupied four booths out of 170 booths available. The Indonesian booth consists of eight participants, namely five Indonesian MSME entrepreneurs, two distributors of Indonesian products in Thailand, and the Indonesian Embassy’s Women Organization in Bangkok. The products offered are batik, Balinese weaving, kebaya, bags, accessories, instant noodles, coffee, biscuits, and Indonesian specialties such as risol, fried noodles, rendang, and pempek. The 57th Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar was officially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Friday (5/17). At the same time, Deputy Chief Representative of Indonesia in Thailand Fuad Adriansyah had the opportunity to hand over souvenirs to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in the form of environmentally friendly silk fabrics with natural motifs, produced by one of the women's communities in Banyumas, Central Java.

Various Thai and foreign cultural arts performances enlivened the bazaar. As an effort to promote Indonesian cultural arts to visitors, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia - KBRI Bangkok also performed “Rara Ngigel Dance” performed by Indonesian School Bangkok students. In addition, KBRI Bangkok also displayed typical Indonesian ornaments to decorate booths and tourism promotion banners to further attract the attention of visitors. The Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar is an annual bazaar held thanks to the cooperation of the Thai Red Cross Society and the Diplomatic Participants Committee. Indonesia regularly participates in the event by displaying superior products. This year's bazaar activity carries the theme Shop for a cause and is attended by 57 representatives of foreign countries in Thailand. In addition to commercial activities, the bazaar also aims to raise funds for social activities to help disadvantaged children, people with disabilities, and other social activities under the care of the Thai Red Cross Society.