An Indonesian university delegation recently visited Taiwan to promote academic cooperation with local institutions in fields such as medicine, engineering and agriculture, the Ministry of Education said today.
Led by Gadjah Mada University president Ova Emilia, the delegation visited Taiwan from Monday to Friday last week and toured several universities, including National Chung Hsing University, Feng Chia University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and National Chengchi University, the ministry said in a news release.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education via CNA
Gadjah Mada University, based in Yogyakarta, is Indonesia’s oldest national research university and ranks among the world’s top 100 to 150 in archaeology, modern languages, accounting and finance, English-language literature and agricultural technology, the ministry said.
The university is best known for requiring students to complete community service in rural and underserved areas before graduation, sending more than 7,000 students each year across Indonesia to address local needs and challenges.
During the Taiwan visit, the delegation also exchanged views with local universities on academic practices in fields including medicine, engineering and agriculture, with hopes of expanding student and faculty exchanges and establishing dual-degree programs, the ministry said.
There were a total of 18,740 Indonesian students in Taiwan last year, including 13,957 in degree programs and 4,783 in non-degree programs, making Indonesia the second-largest source of international students in Taiwan, the ministry said.
In recent years, universities in Taiwan and Indonesia have signed 1,337 academic exchange agreements, it said, adding that the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship program was also offered to 40 Indonesian students for this academic year.
The Huayu scholarship program supports international students studying Mandarin in Taiwan to improve their language skills and deepen their understanding of Taiwanese culture.