VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia, Djauhari Oratmangun, said that the "My Story with China" video competition could help realize the joint ASEAN-China vision. He conveyed it when he was one of the key speakers at the announcement of the "My Story with China" video competition for ASEAN international students in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei hosted by Tianjin Normal University, last Saturday, January 6. According to Ambassador Djauhari, relations between ASEAN and China have become closer with the increase in status as part of a "comprehensive strategic partnership" since two years ago. Trade between ASEAN and China has increased over the past four years. ASEAN and China are the largest trading partners in the world, and the two parties also carry out investment cooperation. Ambassador Djauhari believes that if ASEAN's third pillar, namely people-to-people cooperation, is strengthened, relations between ASEAN and China will become stronger in the years to come. Meanwhile, Director-General of the Chinese Ministry of Education's Center for Language Education and Cooperation, Ma Jianfei, at the same event emphasized the importance of China-ASEAN relations and the important role of youth in promoting cultural exchange. He also encouraged collaboration to support more ASEAN young people to share stories while learning Mandarin. The video competition with the theme "My Story with China" was held by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation and the ASEAN-China Center, supported by the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, China Education Press, China Education International Exchange Associate and the Beijing-Tianjing-Hebei Education Committees. There were 306 videos received by the committee over 8 months and involving more than 3,000 students and lecturers as well as 62 organizations. The winners were selected through online voting which reached 20 thousand votes. A number of Indonesian students became winners in the "Youth Talents" category, namely Clarissa and Tiffani from the Tianjin Conservatory of Music campus. They performed a piano duet, Wulidha Fitri. Students from Beijing Normal University won in the "Star of Style" category. Meanwhile, Gilbert Lie and his friends from Hebei Normal University won in the "Star of Future'' category for singing the song Haiji de ta ceng shuo -Remember when he said.

The University of Indonesia (UI) had signed 595 cooperation agreements with 370 higher educations from 47 countries in 2023. Some 302 of them were Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and 293 others were Agreement of Implementation (AoI). Deputy Rector for Human Resources and Assets Prof. Dr. Desi Priadi at UI campus, Depok, Thursday (4/1) said the global collaboration with world's renowned universities proved UI's commitment in becoming a world class university.

He said they did not want UI to be number one in Indonesia only, but to compete at an international level. Prof. Dedi said most of higher education cooperating with UI came from Asia (199) and Europe (126). Besides, UI also joined hands in research, teaching, and research with the best higher education in America, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. Some 24 universities in the UK also collaborated with UI in 2023.

Meanwhile, University of Indonesia also signed General MoU with some best universities in Europe such as King's College London, University of Leeds, University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow, Leiden University, University of Groningen, Lomonosov Moscow State University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, University of Bern, and University of Bologna. The General MoU was also signed together with Duke University, University of Washington, and University of California Davis. 

Through the Joint Degree program, University of Indonesia students got the chance to obtain a double degree from two universities.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Riyadh, through the Education and Culture Attaché, held a book review discussion explaining the life and scientific legacy of Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani at the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh on Wednesday, January 3. Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani, who lived from 1812 to 1897 was a leading professor in the Hijaz region and the archipelago in the 19th century.

In his remarks, the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Ahmad, said that the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh is committed to continuing to be at the forefront in inspiring and facilitating activities that enrich Islamic and national insight, especially for the younger generation.

Ambassador Abdul Aziz Ahmad paid tribute to Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani as a proud figure in Indonesia and the Islamic world in general. He emphasized the importance of continuing the scientific legacy of previous scholars as the basis for the success of today's Muslims.

Two main speakers and authors of the book Syekh Nawawi Al Bantani Mahaguru Ulama Hijaz & Nusantara 19th Century, namely Mufti Ali and Siti Ma'rifah Ma'ruf Amin, provided an in-depth understanding of the life journey and great services of Syekh Nawawi Al-Bantani.

Mufti Ali in his presentation highlighted the crucial role of these ulama by explaining the data and archives obtained about Sheikh Nawawi from various libraries in Indonesia and the Netherlands. With this data the role and character of these ulama can be scientifically accounted for.

Meanwhile, Siti Ma'rifah Ma'ruf Amin emphasized the role of Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani, especially in the Indonesian context, and underlined the importance of this cleric's contribution in maintaining scientific traditions.

On the same occasion, the Education and Cultural Attache of the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, Badrus Sholeh, said that the book would be encouraged to be translated into Arabic, so that more readers throughout the world would understand the role of Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani in the development of Islamic studies in the world.

Badrus further stated that manuscript research by Nusantara ulama in Hijaz will continue in collaboration with universities and stakeholders in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, so that it will have a positive impact on Indonesian diplomacy in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. More than 300 books written by Nusantara Ulama around the 19th Century in the Hijaz. The discussion was attended by 60 people consisting of various figures, students and the enthusiastic general public in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Indonesian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ireland and the International Maritime Organization, Desra Percaya, received an honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from Durham University, England, on Friday (5/1/2024). This honorary title was given in recognition of Ambassador Desra's extraordinary achievements in his work in the field of diplomacy.

In the official statement from the Indonesian Embassy in London, it was stated that Desra Percaya hopes that this award could encourage increased cooperation between the UK and Indonesia. He called the education sector one of the keys that can be utilized to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.

The title of Doctor of Civil Law is the second honorary title from British academic circles for Ambassador Desra. Previously, Ambassador Desra was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa or Honorary Doctorate from the University of Birmingham in 2014.

Apart from Ambassador Desra, several figures on the list of recipients this year include former British National Security Advisor, Lord Darroch of Kew and St Mawes KCMG, as well as London city councilor, Alison Gowman, and Durham-born singer, Dame Sarah Conollykk. Durham University, which was founded in 1832, is the third oldest university in England and a popular destination for Indonesian students.

This year, bilateral relations between Indonesia and the UK are entering their 75th year, and educational cooperation is one of the main pillars of the partnership according to the 2022-2024 Partnership Roadmap.