FISIP UPNVJ – UPN Veteran Jakarta targets to expand its international cooperation, including with renowned universities in Africa. In order to attain the objective, the public university which is currently under Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemdikbud) invites some prominent Ambassadors from African High Missions in Jakarta to discuss potential programs could be developed in partnership with African universities.

UPN Veteran Jakarta had honor to welcome H.E. Dr. Hilton Fisher, Ambassador of Republic of South Africa to Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN in conjunction with Ambassador Lecture Series program organized by Faculty of Social and Political Science (FISIP) UPN Veteran Jakarta on Thursday, 28/11/2019.

Dr. Erna Hernawati, Rector of UPN Veteran Jakarta, in a courtesy meeting with Ambassador H.E. Dr. Hilton Fisher conveyed the university’s expectation to have collaboration with South African universities. “We learn that there are world class universities in South Africa, UPN Veteran Jakarta expects to have collaboration with them,” said Rector Dr. Erna. According to QS World University Ranking, top rank universities in South Africa includes University of Cape Town, University of Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch University, University of Johannesburg and University of Pretoria.

Ambassador H.E. Dr. Hilton Fisher responded positively the proposal and would try to bridge communication with potential universities in South Africa. Ambassador Fisher explained that the programs could be delivered in the form of distance learning program, research exchanges and joint degree program.

Rector of UPN Veteran Jakarta was accompanied by Dr. Ria Maria Theresia, Vice Rector for Student and Cooperation Affairs, Dr. Dudy Heryadi, Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Science, Dr. Asep Kamaluddin, M.Si, Vice Dean for Student and Cooperation Affairs and Andi Kurniawan.

The Ambassador Lecture Series was attended by hundreds of students who mostly came from FISIP UPN Veteran Jakarta. With extensive knowledge and experience in public management and public affairs, Ambassador Hilton addressed very attractive and comprehensive lectures on the development of South Africa-Indonesia relations. It was affirmed in spite of a 25 year diplomatic relation that the two friendly Countries had long historical relations, including “the notable muslim Sheikh Yusuf Makassar who fought along with African people against colonialism,” said Ambassador.

In addition, Andi Kurniawan, one of international relations researchers at UPN Veteran Jakarta, explained that South Africa is one of our largest trading partners in Africa. “We shared a lot potential fields to cooperate with South Africa, not limited only in trade, but also in tourism and education,” he said.