The Indonesian Open University Paid Visit to Indonesian Embassy Den Haag to Strengthen Cooperation

The President of Indonesian Open University or Universitas Terbuka, Professor Ojat Darojat, visited the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesian in Den Haag, the Netherlands on 6 December 2018. During the visit, the Indonesian Open University President was accompanied by Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Moh. Yunus, and the Coordinator for Protocol and International Affairs, Rahmat Budiman, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D. The envoy was received by the Attaché for Education and Culture (Atdikbud), Din Wahid, Ph.D.

At such meeting, the Indonesian Open University (UT) President expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Den Haag, especially the Attaché for Education and Culture (Atdikbud) who has assisted the Indonesian Open University in providing the education services to the students of the Indonesian Open University who live in the Netherlands. In addition, any more potential cooperation was also discussed, such as the development of distance learning education system for basic education. The Attaché for Education and Culture (Atdikbud) said that the Netherlands would become the center of Indonesian education for the basic and middle levels in Europe. It is expected that the Indonesian Open University would be able to help to prepare the system. Therefore, the next meeting of the Attaché for Education and Culture and the Indonesian Open University is scheduled to take place in Jakarta in the middle of this month. Other important issues which were discussed include the extension of scope and socialization of the Indonesian Open University for Indonesians who domicile in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. In Amsterdam itself, there are 1000 Indonesians who need access to the quality universities and colleges. The Indonesian Open University is expected to be present in the Netherlands. The Attaché for Education and Culture (Atdikbud) plans to hold the meetings with the Indonesians who live these three countries so they can attend the socialization held by the Indonesian Open University in April next year.

After meeting with the Attaché for Education and Culture, the UT President attended the discussion forum with the Indonesian Students Association or PPI in the Netherlands on the Distance Learning Education through Cyber Access at Vrije Universiteit Campus, Amsterdam. The forum discussed the development of the Indonesian Open University and higher education in Indonesia, including its challenges and opportunities. PPI students in Netherlands really care about the education in Indonesia, including providing access to higher education for Indonesians living in the Netherlands. They hope that they can give some concrete contribution to help the Indonesian Open University in providing the distance learning education services in the Netherlands. The President of the Indonesian Open University welcomed the idea. With respect to the technical issues, these will be discussed with the relevant units of the Indonesian Open University and coordinated with the Attaché for Education and Culture (Atdikbud) at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Den Haag.