American Ambassador Admits Envy when Visiting the University of Indonesia, Why?
DEPOK – (6/10/2021) The United States Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Sung Yong Kim, visited Universitas Indonesia, Depok Campus, on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Kim admitted that he was jealous of UI, because academics spend a lot of time in Depok, not in busy Jakarta.
The visit to UI was Kim’s first visit to an educational institution in Indonesia. According to Kim, he was amazed at the beauty of UI that exceeded his imagination before setting foot on the UI campus.
“I feel jealous because academics can spend more time here and not in busy Jakarta” Kim said in a written statement, Thursday, October 7, 2021.
During the visit, Kim and the Rector of Universitas Indonesia (UI), Ari Kuncoro discussed several things about priorities in the higher education sector and other possible collaboration opportunities between the two parties. The meeting took place in the Meeting Room, 9th Floor of the Rectorate Building, UI Campus, Depok.
The two sides discussed a commitment to academic programs for students and lecturers, increasing the number of mobility activities between UI and US universities. Besides that, it also opens opportunities to develop collaborations related to the pandemic, especially in the fields of public health, epidemiology, serology, as well as collaboration in the field of research, and collaboration in the field of technology.
Ari Kuncoro expressed his gratitude to the US Ambassador and the US embassy delegation for taking the time to visit UI in Depok. According to him, so far UI’s relationship with the US has been maintained across the spectrum.
In the period 2018 to 2020, UI sent 52 outbound students to institutions in the US. UI accepts 113 inbound students to take part in several programs including short semester programs, competitions and conferences, or study visits.
“Our staff, lecturers and researchers are also involved in various joint research programs, guest lecture programs, conferences, and so on. We recorded 176 inbound US scholars and 106 outbound UI staff during the period 2018 to 2020,” said Ari.
According to him, the US and UI have a long-standing cooperation in terms of student exchange cooperation and partnerships. This collaboration, in terms of student exchange that has been established so far, should improve.
“I hope that more and more Indonesian students will study in the US, as well as US students who come here to study. In addition, also the lecturers, and staff.” he said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity where our researchers, staff, students and alumni network are actively engaging with the public to address real issues. He realized that the US needed to mobilize resources to accelerate aid.
According to Ari, currently UI is actively assisting the public and policy makers in steps to deal with the pandemic. For example, UI researchers invented a mobile ventilator called COVENT-20.
UI also shares expertise with stakeholders to deliver policy briefs. “We are also upgrading the Universitas Indonesia Hospital as a referral hospital for testing, treating COVID-19 patients, as well as a vaccination center. Efforts have also been made to overcome the indirect impact of the pandemic, for example on mental health and student welfare.” Ari said.
Ari said that UI is currently reorienting the university’s vision towards becoming an Entrepreneurial University. Research and innovation are interconnected across all sectors.
Together with the public and private sectors, scientists, and the general public, UI is responsible for advocating for sustainability. “This is one of the urgent problems that we must address urgently, build a better life and safety for society through the application of knowledge, turning resources into products and services, without compromising the public and future generations in meeting their needs.” Ari said.
The Rector of UI hopes that UI’s relationship with the US will be part of the driving force in joint efforts to overcome current global problems. Also in anticipating future uncertainties. “We believe that we can come up with ideas, the essence of knowledge, to work together.” Ari said.
Source: https://www.medcom.id/education/news-education/zNAp2nZK-dubes-america-mengaku-iri-saat-mengunjungi-universitas-indonesia-why
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