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AsianScientist (Jul. 28, 2011) – Universiti Utara Malaysia (Northern University of Malaysia) has formed a partnership with 14 universities in Indonesia, aimed at strengthening the cooperation between both countries in the field of education.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Saturday, July 23 in Jakarta by the Rector of UUM, Datuk Mohamed Ishak, and the Rectors of 14 Indonesian universities, and witnessed by the Minister of Research and Technology of Indonesia, Suharna Surapranata.

The Indonesian universities that are involved in this cooperation are both state and private universities.

They are the University of Indonesia, Diponegoro University, Padjajaran University, University of Sebelas Maret, Hasanudin University, Jakarta State University, Udayana University, Univeristy of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Paramadina University, Ahmad Dahlan University, Sanggabuana University, Ibnu Khaldun University, 17 Agustus 1945 University, and University of Riau.

In his speech, the Minister of Research and Technology of Indonesia said that the MOU was very important to the relationship between the two countries which already had much in common. Also, the MOU could enhance Indonesia’s R&D sector for economic development.

“I think we can learn how to use our research to solve the problems of our country. The government has launched a master plan for the acceleration and expansion of Indonesia’s economic development which is based on three main pillars,” said Surapranata.

“We have to be able to see opportunities in the six economic corridors; we do not want development to take place only in the center. I think those 14 universities who are signing the MOU may represent these corridors,” he said.

Previously, at the opening of the 18th ASEAN Summit on May 7 in Indonesia, Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono revealed that the country had planned to develop six regional economic corridors to boost growth in those regions. The six corridors are Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali and Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and Maluku.

The Minister added that the third pillar is to improve higher education, human resource training, and science & technology towards Indonesia’s 2025 development goals.

“So, in this context, we can build a synergy and refocus our activities. I think this MOU may provide lessons for us,” said the Minister. “We can have a mutual cooperation with Malaysia to further the development of these two Southeast Asian nations. We can collaborate to form a consortium of existing research collaborations,” he said.

The UUM Rector added that the cooperation with Indonesia will add a new dimension to their higher education sectors.

“We expect this partnership will also strengthen our relationship with universities in Indonesia,” said Datuk Ishak Mohamed Mustafa.

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Source: State Ministry of Research and Technology.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.