ASEAN Ambassadors Gather at IPB University to Discuss Challenges of Higher Education World
IPB University in collaboration with Padjadjaran University and the Assembly of Rectors of Indonesian National Universities (MRPTNI) organised the Ambassador Town Hall Meeting (9/8) at the IPB International Convention Center (IICC), Bogor This activity is part of the ASEAN Higher Education Conference (AHEC) initiated by the Assembly of Rectors of Indonesian National Universities (MRPTNI) and supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemdikbudristek).
The Ambassador Town Hall Meeting featured key speakers who are ambassadors/permanent representatives to ASEAN, ambassadors of ASEAN countries and ASEAN partners to Indonesia to discuss the challenges of higher education development in ASEAN.
Prof Nizam, Acting Director General of Higher Education, Research and Technology, Kemdikbudristek said that through this AHEC, Indonesia is expected to become a pioneer in the field of higher education at the ASEAN level. He said, “Through collaboration, we can build quality and competitive ASEAN universities with a strong identity based on the values shared by ASEAN countries.”
“We need to encourage exchanges among ASEAN students and faculty members to increase openness, strengthen growth mindset, increase motivation, improve performance and expand collaboration to create changes that have a more significant impact,” he added.
Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria also emphasised the need to strengthen ASEAN cooperation in the development of higher education. This is given the magnitude of the challenges and descriptions faced globally, especially in the Southeast Asian region.
“This ASEAN-level cooperation is needed to take strategic steps to address this situation together in a more integrated, effective and efficient manner. These steps are also to ensure the relevance of universities in the Southeast Asian region amid the increasing need for an innovation-driven economy, industrial growth and the rapid development of digital technology,” he explained.
In addition, said Prof Arif, strategic measures are essential to secure the role of universities in ensuring resilience and sustainability amidst increasing humanitarian and environmental crises, especially climate change.
Prof Yanyan Mochamad Yani, Vice Chancellor for Organisation and Planning of Universitas Padjadjaran, said that his institution was mandated to host the AHEC event. “This AHEC is a pioneer that was conducted in Indonesia and will be held again in the coming year, so Indonesia has started the first one along with Indonesia’s age in ASEAN,” he said.
Ambassadors to ASEAN who were invited to attend included HE Amb Bovonethat Douangchak (Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN), HE Amb Kiya Masahiko (Ambassador of Mission of Japan to ASEAN), Madam Carolina Tinangon (Secretary to the Directorate General of ASEAN Cooperation, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim (Director of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization), HE Amb Nur Izzah Wong Mee Choo (Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN), Dr Roger Y Chao, Jr (Asst Director/Head of Education, Youth and Sports at the ASEAN Secretariat), HE Amb MI Derry Aman (Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN).
Also present were Ms Ngu War Swe (Minister Counsellor/ Deputy Permanent Representative of Myanmar to ASEAN), HE Amb Hjayceelyn M Quintana (Permanent Representative of The Phillippines to ASEAN), HE Amb Jayant N Khobragade (Ambassador of Mission of India to ASEAN), HE Amb Will Nankervis (Ambassador of Mission of Australia to ASEAN). (dh/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
