Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) is expanding its network of collaborations with various international institutions. One of them is by launching Zheng He College, a collaboration with the Jiangsu Vocational Institute of Commerce (JVIC) China.
This collaboration is considered an important step to strengthen cross-cultural education and academic exchange.
Vice Chancellor for Cooperation, Business & International Relations UNNES, Prof. Dr. Nur Qudus, MT, IPM explained that this collaboration is part of the cultural interaction process that enriches students’ experiences and strengthens bilateral relations between the two countries.
“The collaboration between UNNES and JVIC brings good benefits, especially in introducing Mandarin culture and education. A total of 38 students from China participated in soft skills training for a week such as batik and getting to know Central Javanese culture,” he explained when interviewed in the Senate Room of the UNNES Rectorate, Semarang City, Tuesday (15/10/2024).
Head of Cooperation and Public Relations of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Yayat Hendayana, S.S., M.Si emphasized the importance of supporting university initiatives in expanding international partnerships.
“We support state universities in establishing partnerships with foreign countries. Currently, many campuses focus on partners from Western countries, but UNNES’s steps in establishing cooperation with East Asian countries, such as China, Japan, and Korea, open up new opportunities. So that this collaboration is not only limited to student exchanges, but also involves organizations, governments, and the industrial world. This will strengthen the quality of universities in Indonesia,” he said.
There are 439 cooperation documents initiated by 179 universities, including UNNES. The launch of this cooperation is the first implementation in the context of government to government which is then followed up by universities with their strategic partners.
On the other hand, JVIC President Ms. Wang Zhi Feng hopes that this cooperation will bring great benefits to both parties.
“We hope that this collaboration can improve students’ skills according to the field of cooperation, as well as provide a positive impact on the development of education and culture in both countries,” he hoped.
The grand launching event was attended by the Vice Chancellor for Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Nur Qudus, MT, IPM, JVIC President Ms. Wang Zhi Feng, and Head of Cooperation of Dikti Ristek Yayat Hendayana, as well as the deans of all faculties. Also present were Ms. Loo Hui Ann, Managing Director of ICCCM and ITEA.
