VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the 73rd anniversary of the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) and the National Teachers’ Day at the Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, West Java, on Saturday.

In his remarks, the president stressed that the teaching profession remains a noble profession and cannot be replaced by even the most sophisticated machines.

"Teachers must be teachers. They cannot be replaced by any sophisticated machine, no matter how sophisticated they are. Teaching is a noble profession that shapes the character of the nation`s children with character, tolerance, and good values," Jokowi remarked.

The teacher is the party that fosters social empathy, builds imagination and creativity, and strengthens the spirit of national unity, especially for future generations.

But nowadays, classrooms are not the only place to study.

"The virtual world is our campus. Now, we also talk as we are, and Google has also become our library. Wikipedia is also our encyclopedia. Kindle and electronic books are also our textbooks," he revealed.

The president requested teachers to be aware of the rise of digital media.

"We are often surprised by how our young people are able to learn independently. They know far more through technological assistance. Therefore, the teacher`s role must not only be teaching but also managing student learning. Teachers are required to be more flexible, creative, interesting, and more fun for students, "the president explained.

After focusing for four years on infrastructure development, the government, according to the president, will focus on the development of human resources (HR), so that the teacher`s role will be increasingly central, primary, and strategic.

"Teachers must become agents of transformation to strengthen our human resources and to build the talents of the nation’s children. As the topic of today’`s program, teachers are required to increase the professionalism to lead the 21st century education," the president pointed out. (ANTARA)

Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo is optimistic that products from Central Java, which were on display at 'Made in Indonesia Expo 2018' in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, could be accepted by the people of Saudi Arabia. This was affirmed by Governor Ganjar at the location of the 'Made in Indonesia Expo 2018' exhibition in Jeddah on Friday. He remarked that some products from Central Java, such as Goyor sarongs, shell charcoal, car body, coffee, gemstone rings and ceramics were exhibited. These products are able to win the hearts of the people of Saudi Arabia. At the exhibition which was first held after 25 years, Governor Ganjar pointed out the need for a comprehensive evaluation, both in terms of implementation, funding, products and event management. He hopes that the next exhibition can be carried out better and comprehensively equipped with media coverage to convey various economic potentials in Indonesia. (Ant-SG / edit r)

Entrepreneurs from Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are aggressively enhancing business partnerships. This is reflected in the implementation of the Indonesia-Saudi Arabia Business Forum as a series of 'Made in Indonesia Expo 2018' in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This was stated by Director General of National Export Development at the Trade Ministry, Arlinda in Jeddah on Friday. She said that the enthusiasm of Saudi Arabian businesspeople is quite huge in the business forum that was held for the first time. The entrepreneurs also immediately pointed out which sectors they would like to cooperate with and target several products from Indonesia to be distributed in their countries. This proves that various products in Indonesia have standards that are in accordance with the people in Saudi Arabia. On the occasion, Arlinda pointed out that the relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have been going on for a long time. For several centuries, Arab scholars and merchants have visited Indonesia to preach and trade and Indonesians have also visited Saudi Arabia for Hajj and studied Islam. (Ant-SG/edit r)

Indonesia is interested in developing economic cooperation with Eurasian Economic Union -EEU. That was said by the Russian Ambassador to ASEAN, Alexander Ivanov at a press conference in Jakarta, Friday (30/11). He pointed out that economic cooperation would be developed through the mechanism of free trade zones. Two also said that a number of ASEAN countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia were interested in making free trade agreements with EEU. During the ASEAN-Russia Summit in Singapore in November, ASEAN and Russia through the Eurasian Economic Commission signed a MoU on economic cooperation. In the near future, Russia and ASEAN will hold workshops themed "Regional Economic Integration in the Eurasian Economic Union and ASEAN". (Ant-SG / edit r)