Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia (Kemenlu RI) explored the possibilities of providing a more significant role for Unhas as the center of economic development in the Eastern part of Indonesia.
Task Conduct of the Head of Studies Center and Policy Development for the American and European Regions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Leonard F. Hutabarat, Ph.D., when met with the Vice Rector IV Unhas Prof. dr. Budu, Sp.(M), Ph.D. in the Rectorate Building Unhas Tamalanrea, Monday (13/6), hoped that Unhas will be the center of economic development studies of Eastern Indonesia (KTI). One of the methods that can be embraced is through the cooperation with Kemenlu to send their resources to pursue higher education overseas and obtain the Indonesian Endowment Scholarship Fund (LPDP) of the Ministry of Finance.
Vice Rector IV Unhas Budu stated that the issue of the essence in this matter is on Maritime Affairs. Unhas is told to portray to the Kemenlu, issues that could be assisted in regards to maritime affairs. In this issue, Unhas has developed seaweed and societal shipping in the Eastern part of Indonesia, along with Ministry of Transportation.
Other issues discussed with the staff of Kemenlu according to Budu include the issue of “green economy,” by the conduct of several events that involve the agricultural field. Example being the development of sago, palm sugar, local crops, salt, and honey. Kemenlu will facilitate the development of such a field.
“Throughout the years, Kemenlu is acutely aware that out of the 100 partnerships conducted, many gave benefits for the Western parts of Indonesia,” stated Budu, that went on by saying that in Eastern Indonesia, besides Unhas (South Sulawesi), development centers of potential also include Maluku and Papua.
Head of the International Relations Department Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Dr. H. Darwis, M.A. during the meeting that also was attended by Prof. Dr. Budimawan, DEA, stated, that Leonard F. Hutabarat’s visit to unhas is to strengthen preparations of the MoU signing with the Netherlands. Therefore in a close period of time, there will be a meeting between Kemenlu, Unhas, and the Netherlands to discuss matters of maritime as well as social aspects of the partnership.
“Kemenlu offered several educational programs between the Netherlands and Indonesia, that has a geographical focus on the Eastern part of Indonesia,” especially those strongly linked with maritime affairs,” stated Darwis. (*)
