Top L-R: Prof Gareth Stansfield, Director IAIS; Prof Tim Niblock, Chair of the Management Board, IAIS; HE Yuri Octavian Thamrin The Indonesian Ambassador and Nikki Paget, Head of International Student Recruitment
Middle L-R: Prof Gerd Nonneman, Al-Qasimi Professor of Gulf Studies; Intan Ichsan, recent Indonesian PhD IAIS graduate; Stephanie Pachu-Ganeson, International Alumni Officer; Prof Ian Netton, IAIS Sharjah Professor of Islamic Studies
Bottom step L-R: Syahrul Hidayat, PhD student in IAIS; Prof. Riza Sihbudi, Indonesian Education Attache, Herry Sudradjat Indonesian Counsellor for Information and Socio-Cultural Affairs
Indonesian Ambassador creates links with Exeter
As the world’s largest Muslim country, the Republic of Indonesia has a rich and varied Islamic culture experience.
The University of Exeter’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS) is keen to explore this in more depth by identifying future opportunities for collaborative research and training.
The Indonesian Ambassador was invited to Exeter to open this dialogue and to increase awareness of Indonesia by means of a presentation to staff and students. His Excellency Yuri Octavian Thamrin the Ambassador of the Indonesian Republic and Embassy colleagues visited the University of Exeter 9 – 10 May to meet academics and current Indonesian students.
Professor Gareth Stansfield, Head of the University’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies said, ‘Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, is becoming increasingly important at so many different levels: economically, politically and culturally. In the past the University’s links with the country have been relatively limited.’
He added, ‘A greater level of involvement is now needed. The country’s rich Islamic heritage gives the Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies a strong incentive to develop the relationship. The Indonesian heritage and experience should be an integral part of our research and teaching.’
The University of Exeter is receiving an increasing number of enquiries from Indonesian students wanting to further their studies in the UK.
Nikki Paget, Head of International Student Recruitment commented, ‘Indonesian students are interested in a wide range of our programmes from Renewable Energy to Business, Education and Engineering and are enthusiastic participants in our culturally diverse community. In addition to discussing how the University can continue to support Indonesia's Higher Education training needs the Ambassador’s visit was a unique opportunity for our students and staff to find out more about Indonesia from both a cultural and geo-political perspective.’
Indonesian student Adji Sjadzali, who is the Head of the Indonesian Student Association and an undergraduate at the University’s Business School said, ‘The visit by the Indonesian Ambassador points to the growing trend of Indonesian students opting to study at the University of Exeter. Helped in part by their introduction to UK education through the academic and English language preparation programmes at INTO University of Exeter. For the students this ambassadorial visit is regarded as a manifestation of the recognition of the University in their home country.’
Date: 12 May 2010
