Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), through the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), continues to strengthen its strategic collaboration with the Jiangsu Vocational Institute of Commerce (JVIC). On Wednesday (November 5), UNNES held the inauguration of the Zheng He College and the launching of the Double Degree Program Batch II at the FEB Auditorium. The event marked an important milestone in reinforcing the bridge of knowledge and culture across nations.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President of JVIC, Mr. Wang Bing, and Vice Rector for Cooperation, Business, and International Affairs of UNNES, Prof. Dr. Nur Qudus. In their remarks, both emphasized the importance of strengthening academic and cultural collaboration between the two institutions.
Mr. Wang Bing stated that students of Zheng He College, both from the first and second batches, are cultural ambassadors as well as future leaders.
“They are not only pursuing academic excellence but also serving as bridges of cross-cultural understanding, builders of professional networks, and creators of cross-border innovations that revive the spirit of Admiral Zheng He’s voyages and friendship in today’s context,” he said.
Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Nur Qudus affirmed that this collaboration aligns with UNNES’s spirit of internationalization, grounded in the values of conservation and diversity.
“This partnership is concrete evidence of how UNNES continues to play an active role in connecting knowledge, culture, and humanity across nations,” he stated.
The event was also attended by Senior Manager of ICCCM Malaysia, Ms. Loo Hui Ann; Dean of FEB UNNES, Prof. Dr. Amir Mahmud; representatives from Sam Poo Kong and Boen Hian Tong Foundation; officials from the Central Java Provincial Education Office; and Dr. Bahrodin, Chief Expert Supervisor at the Central Java Education Office. Students from Batches I and II also participated in a calligraphy activity with Mr. Wang Bing, symbolizing cultural harmony through art.
Since 2021, UNNES, ITEA-ICCCM Malaysia, and JVIC have established a trilateral partnership focusing on strengthening vocational education, research, and cultural exchange. This collaboration began with the Foreign Language & Skill Training Program (FLST) and evolved into the Friendship College Program in 2023.
The success of Batch I as pioneers, and the growing participation of Batch II with 63 students from the Management and Development Economics programs at FEB UNNES, demonstrate the sustainability and effectiveness of this collaborative model.
The inauguration of the Zheng He Cultural Research Institute and the Double Degree Program Batch II marks a significant milestone in transforming the UNNES-JVIC partnership from vocational cooperation into a hub of knowledge creation and cultural advancement. Through this institute, UNNES and JVIC aim to translate Zheng He’s cultural heritage and local wisdom into research-based solutions for contemporary global challenges in maritime economics, international trade, cultural diplomacy, and the creative economy.