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Bridging International Cooperation between Indonesia and America - workshop | University of Maryland

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Overview

When: 03/16/2012 - 03/17/2012

Location: University of Maryland

College Park, Maryland, United States

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Contact Information

Website: http://wusa.i-4.or.id/

Description

The inception of the Indonesian International Scholars Association (Ikatan Ilmuwan Indonesia Internasional, heretofore referred to as I-4) at the 2009 Congress of Overseas Indonesian Students Association Alliance in Den Haag, the Netherlands, generated tremendous interests among Indonesian scholars and students abroad to be more connected with one another. Such a better connectivity would allow them to effectively share ideas on how to solve ongoing problems faced by the Indonesian societies. Under this circumstance, Indonesian scholars and students could rightly claim their role as intelligent problem solvers who simultaneously care deeply about Indonesia’s future.

The I-4 held its first International Summit in Jakarta in 2010. This event provided an institutional, government-supported venue for Indonesian scientists worldwide to discuss chronic issues on education and research in Indonesia. The International Summit also laid out a blueprint for stronger collaboration between Indonesian scholars abroad and inside the country. To transform this blueprint into reality, more tangible actions are needed however. These actions may include various workshops, training, seminars, and info sessions both in Indonesia and abroad organized by the I-4. Our plan to hold a seminar in Washington, DC to bring together American stakeholders interested in Indonesia’s future as well as Indonesian scholars and students in the States should therefore be viewed as a step toward bringing the blueprint to fruition.

The United States of America has long been recognized as a world’s leader in research and higher education. A strengthened partnership between Indonesia and USA in both education and research through increased scholarships, exchange programs, and research collaborations would thus contribute positively to the ongoing effort of strengthening research and education in Indonesia. Further, these scientific collaborations can be easily expanded into the realms of industry, investment, and trade. We therefore believe that an overall improved partnership between Indonesian and American scientists is important.

Meanwhile, the high number of Indonesian scientists and scholars residing and working for educational, profit, and non-profit institutions in the United States should be seen as a potential force that could push for a more intense, active collaboration between Indonesia and the States. Members of this educated workforce have the expertise and experience in their respective fields as a result of the long-term, high-quality training they have gained in the States. We believe that these Indonesian or Indonesian American scientists, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students, are also capable of transferring some knowledge to their counterparts in Indonesia. We are therefore proposing a forum where these scientists, scholars, professionals, and students could share their ideas and brainstorm on the latest educational, research, and development issues faced by Indonesia. It is our hope that such forum could churn out some real, positive contributions to the national development.

Managing such a forum might be a difficult task. Regardless, we believe that this forum is going to be an important stepping-stone for Indonesia, a developing G-20 nation whose vision is to be the fifth largest economy in the world by 2030. The country has been able to weather the global economic crisis thanks to its solid economic foundation and strong domestic demand. In the long-term, however, the main task is for Indonesia to be more competitive internationally. As such, the country must carry the crucial task of equipping its population, currently the world’s fourth largest, with high-quality education and training. A major component of this effort would be to bolster research and science and technology developments in the country.

To sum up, multiple concerns serve as an impetus for the I-4, along with several other organizations in the US, to design a forum where Indonesian scholars, students and professionals in the States could discuss critical issues regarding US-Indonesia partnership in education and research.