To enhance collaboration in higher education and research, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs partnered with Universitas Padjajaran (Unpad) to host the Ambassadors' Afternoon Tea at Unpad in Bandung. The gathering brought together eleven Ambassadors and Charge D'Affaires from Southeast Asia, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Chaired by Unpad's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Arief Kartasasmita, the dialogue centred on identifying fresh avenues for collaboration. Ambassador Dindin Wahyudin, Expert Staff for Economic Diplomacy for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, underscored the significance of reinforcing cooperation rooted in the Bandung Spirit and South-South collaboration. The session aims to pave the way for feasible partnerships in higher education and research between the dynamic regions of Asia and Africa.
At the same time, Prof. Arief Kartasasmita elucidated the Unpad Going Global initiative, presenting it as a platform for collaborative endeavours encompassing student exchanges, shared supervision, collaborative degree programs, and international research efforts. The Ambassadors also provided insights from the perspectives of their respective nations. The Mozambican Ambassador emphasized the increasing interest of African students in information technology. Tunisia expressed a desire for pharmaceutical scholarships, Nigeria concentrated on forming agricultural partnerships, while Tanzania and Kenya exhibited enthusiasm for collaborations in marine science and geological engineering. The Education Attache from Malaysia expressed optimism about broadening collaboration through joint postgraduate degree programs with Malaysian universities.
In the future, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Universitas Padjajaran will be dedicated to arranging subsequent initiatives to capitalize on the collaborative energy fostered in this meeting. The Ministry is prepared to facilitate and strengthen partnerships in higher education and research between Indonesian universities and allied nations.
