ICE Institute collaborating with UNESCO-ICHEI: Implementation of Quality Education Equal Distribution

Indonesia Cyber Education (ICE) Institute has hold 3 (three) new partners, both local and foreign. The signing of UNESCO-ICHEI, which was witnessed by Director General of Higher Education, Research and Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC, Ph.D., IPU, ASEAN Eng., and the Chairman of the Consortium as well as the Rector of Universitas Terbuka or Indonesia Open University, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D. 

The signing of the cooperation done virtually was attended by the senior executives from the relevant institutions, Prof. Li Ming (Director of UNESCO-ICHEI), Prof. Ismunandar (Ambassador/the Representative of the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Indonesia – UNESCO), Dr. Itje Chodijah (Chairman of Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO/KNIU), Dr. Libing Wang (UNESCO-Bangkok), Prof. Cher Ping Lim (Chief Expert of IIOE UNESCO-ICHEI), Ms. Han Wei (Executive Professor Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI), Mr. Lyu Feng (Assistant Director UNESCO-ICHEI), Ms. LI Fan (Assistant Director Chief of Asia-Pacific Program Office UNESCO-ICHEI), and Mr. Hassan Shehzad (Program Specialist UNESCO-ICHEI). 

The opening remarks were given by Director of ICE Institute, Prof. Dr. Paulina Pannen, M.Ls., as she stated that ICE Institute has served Indonesia students as the marketplace of online courses since July 2021. Currently, we have 34 partner institutions, working together to promote quality online courses for all. During the pandemic Covid-19, online education was present and saved many education practices all over the world. It can be seen from the rapid growth of online education, adding to the knowledge and learning gained from face-to-face programs, as we call it blended learning. In her remarks, Prof. Paulina expressed her gratitude to the partners for the signing of this cooperation, with the hope for this collaboration, it can promote ICE Institute as one National IIOE Center, so that we would be able to make some improvement, both in terms of research for the lecturers and for the development of the public in general in the field of digital literacy and technology. 

Furthermore, UT’s Rector, as the Chairman of the Consortium of ICE Institute, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D. also expressed his appreciation to the Director of International Center for Higher Education Innovation Under the Auspices UNESCO-ICHEI-ITB, Polytechnics Sahid, and Lentera Nusantara, and appreciated for the establishment of such cooperation. It is expected that the cooperation with UNESCO-ICHEI can enhance online learning and education at international level. UT’s Rector also stated that by working together with ITB, we are optimistic that it will promote cooperation in the research and development of game developers. In addition, UT’s Rector hopes that the cooperation of ICE Institute and Polytechnics Sahid may facilitate the vocational education in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the collaboration with Lentera Nusantara, the participants of game developers may be connected with the business world and industrial world. In the future, it is expected that the cooperation between ICE Institute and UNESCO-ICHEI, ITB, Polytechnics Sahid, and Lentera Nusantara are getting stronger and reaching out other regions. 

Mr. LYU Feng, as the Assistant Director, Chief of Asia-Pacific Program Office, UNESCO-ICHEI, in his speech, expressed his gratitude for the trust given in establishing the cooperation with UNESCO-IIOE. He ensures that the public receives quality and well-distributed education as well as it promotes the education study opportunity in life time for all, and to help the partner universities in the developing countries to realize their education targets, promote international collaboration in higher education, promote the exchange of knowledge, and provide quality education access. 

Furthermore Prof. LI Ming, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, addressed regarding the signing of the cooperation agreement, as he expressed his appreciation and gratitude as well as support for the established cooperation. He sees that ICE Institute deeply understands the students and teaching staff’s needs. Consequently, we will give assistance and support in terms of resources, both for the improvement of teaching staff’s competence to apply ICT in universities, and for the development of their expertise. In the future, both institutions will mutually benefit and are able to implement quality and equal education. 

In his address, Prof. Cher Ping Lim, Chief of IIOE, UNESCO-ICHEI said that the moment of the signing of this cooperation is the latest milestone that now, Indonesia has inclusive educational representatives of UNESCO and ICE Institute as its executing implementer. May this cooperation result in quality and well-distributed education for all in the days to come. 

As Director General of Higher Education (Ditjen Dikti), Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D., addressed his closing remarks prior to the signing of the cooperation. He congratulated the parties for the entry into the cooperation, as well as he hopes that this cooperation would be able to play significant roles in the expansion of access and equally-distributed quality education for both agencies and both countries. Particularly, in the field of technology and ready to cope with industrial revolution era and society 5.0, and in the efforts for the fulfillment of quality learnings for all the people anywhere and anytime.