Advancing the role of higher education in Indonesia to apply three pillars in university (education, research, and community service) internationally which is in line with the visionary objectives outlined in The Ministerial Regulation of The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia No.210/M/2022, which emphasizes the development of key performance indicators for higher education institutions and the Higher Education Service Agency, University Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI) participated in International Higher Education Partnership of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony between Indonesia and Korea on Wednesday (20/9) at LSPR Institute of Communication and Business Trans Park, Juanda Bekasi Campus.
In the signing ceremony, UAI who is represented by Prof. Dr. Ir. Asep Saefuddin, M.Sc. (Rector) together with Prof. Dr. Yi Sung Hoon (President of Sehan University and Mokpo Science University), Prof. Yunwon Hwang (President of Jungwon University), and Mr. Sung-Yong Chun, Ph.D. (President of Kyungdong University) have agreed to collaborate in several areas that are focused on the higher education implementation, Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM), and the Freedom to Learn Independent Campus Policy (MBKM). All the parties aspire to commit to enhance the educational landscape by fostering cooperation in various activities such as education and teaching, research and development, community service. In addition to that, another form of partnerships including joint curriculum development, including learning outcomes planning, content, and teaching methods, project-based learning opportunities, internship programs, also haring resources and facilities.
In the opening remarks, the Vice Minister of Manpower, Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Afriansyah Noor, M.Si stated “The improvement of foreign language proficiency is needed to enhance the quality of work. Currently, workers from Indonesia are highly sought after by foreign countries, and they must also master foreign languages. It is mentioned that, in addition to being proficient in English, Mandarin, and Korean are also highly in demand. According to him, South Korea is very fond of and prefers workers from Indonesia. Through cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea in higher education, it is hoped that graduates can master these foreign languages, which will enhance the competitiveness and competence of Indonesian workers”.
Apart from that, the Head of Agency for Higher Education Services in Region III, Prof. Toni Toharudin, S.Si, M.Sc, said that “the collaboration in higher education has many benefits and is essential for improving the quality of education and providing better opportunities for students and educational institutions. Particularly in relation to the Main Performance Indicators for Higher Education Institutions and Higher Education Service Institutions (IKU number 6) that have been established.”
Meanwhile, “In his capacity as the Education and Culture Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, Dr. Gogot Suharwoto, PhD, welcomes the collaboration between universities in Indonesia and Korea as a concrete step in preparing excellent human resources in line with the needs of the market, fully supported by the business and industrial sectors in Indonesia and South Korea. ‘This will support the strengthening of human resources as a long-term investment in Indonesia’s development in the era of Industry 4.0,’ he stated.”
The Memorandum of Understanding sets the framework for this collaboration, and matters related to its implementation will be governed by a subsequent Memorandum of Agreement or Work Plan between the universities in Indonesia and South Korea. This partnership signifies a significant step forward in the global higher education landscape, fostering academic excellence, cultural exchange, and international cooperation, ultimately benefitting students, faculty, and both nations. (TSH)