Universitas Hasanuddin in early June 2016 fulfilled the invitation from the ‘Taiwan Economic and Trade Once (TETO)’ to visit Taiwan. The invitation was for the sole purpose of partnership and led directly by Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, MA to continue discussions on the various events conducted by the two stakeholders beforehand, both in Indonesia and Taiwan.
TETO, the representative of the Taiwan Government in Indonesia, viewed that Unhas is a leading higher education institution with immense potential in the field of aquaculture in Indonesia. With the cooperation along with Unhas, TETO felt that the relations with Indonesia will be better and advantageous for one another especially in the matter of research and education. Lian-Jen Chang, TETO representative in Indonesia, stated that during his visit to Unhas a while ago.
During the visit to Taiwan, Unhas Rector signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST). The memorandum of NPUST includes on the basis of scholarships and Masters and Doctoral degree opportunities for staff lecturers, dual degree programs for bio-agriculture and community services, as well as summer school programs for students.
Besides with NPUST, an agreement was also agreed upon with Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park (PABP). PABP will undergo partnerships with Unhas on the matter of research results/ research products in coordination with PABP partnering institutions. PABP that consists of six industrial clusters is also interested in cooperation on the issue of seaweeds developed by the Seaweed Consortium Unhas, and the Algae Research Product of the Faculty of Pharmacy Unhas.
Unhas also agreed to cooperate with the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU). NTOU is a University that focuses on maritime research and education. The basis of the partnership is based on the visions and missions of Unhas determined to develop the Indonesian Maritime Continent. NTOU will work hand in hand with the Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries on the matter of research and education in the field of marine sciences and fisheries.
Approaching the end of the visit, Unhas and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) Taiwan agreed on a couple of measures. ICDF will, later on, provide funds for two proposals that link to Health Seeds Programs, with the figures being IDR 4,5 billion.
ICDF will include the staff of Unhas Hospital on the workshop or training financed by the ICDF to raise the qualities of the Unhas Hospital human resources.
Unhas Rector, Prof. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu hoped, that the partnership agreed with several institutions in Taiwan will eventually strengthen the relations between Indonesia and Taiwan. Unhas also proved, though, that it is a higher education institution with solid qualities in Indonesia, and can contribute immensely to the state, especially in the field of research and education.
“The trust of the Taiwanese institutions must be embraced fully heartedly, to excel further our university being a world class university,” stated Dwia in her report to Taipei, Taiwan.
